Background and career
Kristjan Asllani (Albanian pronunciation: [kɾisˈcjan asˈlani]; born 9 March 2002) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for UAE Pro League club Al Jazira, on loan from Inter Milan, and the Albania national team.
Born in Elbasan, Albania, and raised in Buti, Italy, Asllani developed through the youth academy of Empoli, making his professional debut with the club in 2021 and later helping Empoli secure their place in Serie A, earning praises for his technical ability and versatility. In 2022 he moved to Inter Milan and was part of the squads that won the 2022 Supercoppa Italiana, 2023–24 Serie A title, and 2023 Supercoppa Italiana. In August 2025, Asllani joined Torino on loan with an option to buy, but the deal was terminated by mutual agreement in January 2026 and he subsequently joined Turkish club Beşiktaş again on loan. In August 2026, he moved on another loan to Al Jazira in the UAE Pro League, with an option to buy that could become an obligation under certain conditions.
Asllani has represented Albania at youth level before making his senior debut in 2022, becoming a consistent figure, contributing to Albania's historic qualification as group winners for UEFA Euro 2024 and participating in the final tournament. Known for his consistency and composure in midfield, Asllani set a national record for consecutive appearances by an outfield player and scored several decisive goals in competitive matches, including winners in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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