Amir Kadri Rrahmani (born 24 February 1994) is a Kosovar professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Napoli and captains the Kosovo national team.
Born in Pristina to Albanian parents from Skenderaj, Rrahmani began his football career with the youth team of Drenica, where he was promoted to the senior team during the 2011âÂÂ12 campaign where he immediately began to impress despite being only 17 years old. He went on trial with Albanian Superliga side Kastrioti Krujë in the summer of 2012, where he impressed the coaching staff. However, a deal to sign the player could not be agreed, with negotiations stalled over a compensation package which was reported to be in the region of â¬3,000. He returned to KF Drenica where he became an important first team player as he helped his side finish just above the relegation playoff zone in the Superleague of Kosovo. His contract expired at the end of the 2012âÂÂ13 season and he was allowed to leave Drenica on a free transfer.
Rrahmani was subject to interest by a host of Kategoria Superiore sides, with the reigning champions Skënderbeu formally offering the 19-year-old a contract to join the club, but he would ultimately decide to join Partizani instead. He made his debut for his new club on 21 September 2013 in an away game against Besa, where he came on as a substitute after half time in the 1âÂÂ0 win for his side.
At the end of 2014âÂÂ15 season, Rrahmani was named "Talent of the Year" by association "Sporti na bashkon".
On 5 June 2015, Rrahmani finished his career at Partizani and moved to Croatian side RNK Split, where he joined the fellow Albanian player Sokol Cikalleshi. He made his competitive debut for the club on 13 July in the opening league match of 2015âÂÂ16 season against Lokomotiva, where he played full-90 minutes in a 2âÂÂ1 home win. Following that, Rrahmani become a regular starter in Zoran Vuliàand later Goran Sabliàlineup, establish himself in the center of defence.
On 30 October, Rrahmani made a solid performance against the league leaders Dinamo Zagreb for a 1âÂÂ0 home win, which lead him to be named in the Team of the Week. On 22 November, following his good display in the 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Istra 1961, Rrahmani was named again in the Team of the Week.
Rrahmani commenced 2016 by playing full-90 minutes in the team's first league match of 2016, a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Inter Zapreà ¡iÃÂ, which was followed by another full-90 minutes against Zagreb, which led him to be named again in the Team of the Week. On 2 March 2016, Rrrahmani netted his first goal for the club during the 1âÂÂ2 home defeat to Rijeka. This lead him to another Team of the Week selection. Rrahmani continued with his solid appearances which led to his value rising to an estimated â¬1 million. He was named again in the Team of the Week for the 8th time following a goalless draw against Osijek on 8 April.
On 30 August 2016, Rrahmani joined with champion of Croatian First Football League side Dinamo Zagreb. Dinamo Zagreb reportedly paid a â¬1.6 million transfer fee.
Eight days after the transfer to Dinamo Zagreb, Rrahmani joined with another Croatian First Football League side Lokomotiva, on a season-long loan. On 11 September 2016, he made his debut in a 2âÂÂ3 away win against Slaven Belupo after being named in the starting line-up.
On 21 June 2017, Rrahmani returned to Croatian First Football League side Dinamo Zagreb. A month later, he made his debut in a 4âÂÂ0 home win against Cibalia after coming on as a substitute at 68th minute in place of Filip BenkoviÃÂ.
On 26 June 2019, Rrahmani joined Serie A side Hellas Verona, on a four-year contract. Hellas Verona reportedly paid around â¬2 million transfer fee. One day later, the club confirmed that Rrahmani had joined on a permanent transfer. On 18 August 2019, he made his debut with Hellas Verona in the third round of 2019âÂÂ20 Coppa Italia against Cremonese after being named in the starting line-up.
On 20 January 2020, Rrahmani joined Serie A side Napoli. Napoli reportedly paid a â¬14 million transfer fee. He won the Serie A in the 2022âÂÂ23 season.
On 20 January 2020, Rrahmani was sent back on loan to Hellas Verona for the remainder of the season, with the club paying wages of ã8,000 per week. Six days later, he played the first game after the return against Lecce after being named in the starting line-up.
On 24 August 2020, Rrahmani returned to Napoli. On 3 January 2021, he made his debut in a 1âÂÂ4 away win against Cagliari after coming on as a substitute at 87th minute in place of Kostas Manolas. On 12 March 2024, Rrahmani scored his first UEFA Champions League goal during Napoli's 3âÂÂ1 away defeat to Barcelona in the Round of 16 second leg, where his club ultimately exited the competition with a 4âÂÂ2 aggregate loss.
Rrahmani played a pivotal role in Napoli's triumphant 2024âÂÂ25 Serie A campaign under Antonio Conte. He led the team in minutes played and topped several defensive metrics, including clearances (4.7 per 90 minutes) and aerial duels won (3.4 per 90 minutes), boasting a 69.6% success rate in aerial challenges. Additionally, Rrahmani led all Serie A players in touches (3,195), total passes (2,769), and successful passes (2,521) over the season.
Being of Albanian descent from Kosovo, Rrahmani received Albanian citizenship on 4 June 2013 among Albania senior side member Agon Mehmeti, and fellow Albania U21 players Haxhi Neziraj, Valentin Gjokaj and Herolind Shala.
Principally Rrahmani was called up by Skënder Gega for a friendly match of the Albania U21 side against Macedonia in February 2013. He came as a later upcoming in the Albania U21's last 4 matches for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in last four months of the tournament, exactly from August to November 2013.
Rrahmani was capped once for the Kosovo national team in a sanctioned match by FIFA on 25 May 2014 against Senegal, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 3âÂÂ1 loss.
Following his good performances at both Partizani Tirana and the Albania under-21 side, Rrahmani was called up by the Albania senior side coach Gianni De Biasi for a friendly match on 8 June 2014 against San Marino. He made his debut against the side after coming on as a substitute in place of fellow 20-year-old defender Elseid Hysaj in the 82nd minute of the match, which finished in a 0âÂÂ3 away victory. On 13 November 2015, Rrahmani scored against Kosovo, a team which he previously played for.
In August 2016, Rrahmani decided to switch his international allegiance to represent Kosovo. On 11 June 2017, he scored his first goal for Kosovo in a 4âÂÂ1 defeat against Turkey during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Dinamo Zagreb
Napoli
Individual