Florent Hoti (born 11 December 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Halifax Town. He has previously played for Rochdale, Dundee United and Arbroath, and had a loan spell at Forfar Athletic. Born in England, he is a youth international for Kosovo.
Having been part of Rochdale's academy since the age of 10, Hoti signed for the club on a two-year scholarship in 2017. He made his debut for Rochdale on 4 September 2018, coming on as a 79th minute substitute in a 2âÂÂ1 home victory against Bury in the EFL Trophy. On 7 November 2018, he started in Rochdale's 2âÂÂ2 draw at home to Leicester City Under-23s in the EFL Trophy. Hoti was offered his first professional contract with the club at the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, though Hoti never signed this contract.
Hoti had a trial at Scottish Premiership club Dundee United during the 2019âÂÂ20 season, and again in August 2020, and signed a two-year contract with the club for an undisclosed fee the following month. He joined Scottish League One club Forfar Athletic on loan in October, then returned to Dundee United in January 2021 following the suspension of the lower divisions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made his debut for Dundee United on 10 April 2021 in a 1âÂÂ0 Scottish Premiership win away to Hamilton Academical, with Dundee United manager Micky Mellon stating that "he has come on and showed what a lad of great promise he is." He made three further appearances in the 2020âÂÂ21 season. He was released at the end of the 2021âÂÂ22 season, having played just 9 times that season after failing to displace the club's regular midfielders such as Jeando Fuchs, Calum Butcher and Ian Harkes.
After a trial spell with Scottish League One club Peterhead, during which he played twice, Hoti signed for Scottish Championship side Arbroath on a short-term deal on 11 November 2022. On 25 January 2023, Arbroath confirmed that Florent had left the club, with Hoti having made 7 appearances for them.
In March 2023, Hoti joined EFL League Two side Tranmere Rovers on a short-term deal after a successful trial. He was released at the end of the season, having made 5 appearances for the club.
On 18 July 2023, Hoti joined National League club FC Halifax Town on a two-year deal after a successful trial. Hoti had suffered a hamstring injury during his trial which left him injured for the start of the season, and he made his debut for the club on 26 September 2023 as a substitute in a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge. He made his full debut for the club in the following match, and scored his first career goal, as Halifax were defeated 3âÂÂ2 by Eastleigh on 30 September. He suffered a shoulder injury in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against AFC Fylde on 21 November, which he returned from for Halifax's opening match of 2024, a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Altrincham. He played 25 times, scoring 5 goals during the 2023âÂÂ24 National League, as Halifax finished 7th and qualified for the National League play-offs. Hoti scored as a substitute in Halifax's play-off quarter-final tie against Solihull Moors but the club were knocked out of the play-offs after losing 4âÂÂ2.
At the end of the 2024âÂÂ25 season, Halifax triggered an option in Hoti's contract to extend it by a further year. Hoti sustained a knee injury in Halifax's final pre-season match ahead of the 2025âÂÂ26 season, which left him injured for "several months" and led to him having surgery.
Hoti was selected to participate in an Albania national under-21 team's training camp and practice matches in March 2021, but was unable to join the squad due to COVID-related travel restrictions. Two months later, he received a call-up from Kosovo national under-21 team for a 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Andorra U21, and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up. Hoti made 7 appearances in total for Kosovo U21.
Hoti is a midfielder and has described himself as a "technical midfielder with flair". Upon signing for Halifax, Hoti claimed "I'm best when I'm on the ball but I have the other side to my game as well where I'm not afraid to put a tackle in and do the dirty work".
Hoti was born in Manchester, England, to Kosovo-Albanian parents from the Hoti tribe. This makes him eligible to represent all three nations of England, Albania and Kosovo internationally. Hoti also grew up in Manchester and supported Manchester United.