1. Overview
Sokol Mziu (born July 21, 1987) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. This article details his club career, from his early professional years in Albanian First Division to his later engagements in the Albanian Superliga, highlighting his contributions and achievements across various Albanian clubs including KF Adriatiku Mamurras, FK Kukësi, KF Tërbuni Pukë, KF Korabi Peshkopi, KS Kastrioti, and Besa Kavajë.
2. Early Life and Background
Sokol Mziu was born on July 21, 1987, in Kukës, Albania.
3. Club Career
Sokol Mziu has had a notable career playing for several clubs in Albania's football leagues, including KF Adriatiku Mamurras, FK Kukësi, KF Tërbuni Pukë, KF Korabi Peshkopi, KS Kastrioti, and Besa Kavajë. His career includes significant periods in both the Albanian First Division and the Albanian Superliga, marked by promotions and key contributions to his teams.
3.1. Adriatiku Mamurras
Mziu began his professional career with KF Adriatiku Mamurras. During the 2010-11 season, he made one appearance in the Albanian Superliga relegation playoffs.
3.2. Kukësi
He later moved to FK Kukësi. In the 2011-12 season, while the club was in the Albanian First Division, Mziu played in 26 matches and scored 3 goals. The following season, 2012-13, he appeared in 11 matches and scored 1 goal in the Albanian Superliga. He also participated in 4 cup matches without scoring. In the 2013-14 season, he made 2 appearances in the UEFA Europa League. Overall, during his time at Kukësi, he played 43 matches and scored 5 goals across all competitions.
3.3. Tërbuni Pukë
Mziu then joined KF Tërbuni Pukë. For the 2013-14 season in the Albanian First Division, he played in 23 matches, scoring 3 goals. In the subsequent 2014-15 season, he appeared in 26 league matches, adding another 3 goals, and also played in 2 cup matches. His total for Tërbuni Pukë was 51 appearances with 6 goals.
3.4. Korabi Peshkopi
On July 31, 2015, Mziu signed a one-year contract with KF Korabi Peshkopi, then competing in the Albanian First Division. He was assigned squad number 7 and made his debut on September 12 in a 1-0 away loss against Besëlidhja Lezhë. Mziu opened his scoring account in his fifth appearance for the club on October 17, netting a late goal in a 3-0 home victory against Burreli. Throughout the 2015-16 season, Mziu was also named the team's captain. He finished the season with a personal best of 7 goals from 25 matches, contributing significantly to Korabi Peshkopi's promotion to the Albanian Superliga after finishing first in Group A of the First Division. In the final championship match against Group B winners Luftëtari Gjirokastër on May 19, 2016, Mziu played the entire match, which concluded in a goalless draw. During the subsequent penalty shootout, he scored his team's first attempt but missed his second, which proved decisive as Korabi was defeated 11-10.
On July 27, 2016, Mziu signed a new one-year contract with Korabi Peshkopi. He began the 2016-17 Albanian Superliga season by playing in the first half of the opening match against Laçi, which resulted in a goalless draw at Elbasan Arena. Mziu was subsequently benched for the next two months, returning as a starter on November 5, 2016, in a 1-0 loss against the same opponent. He scored his second goal in the Albanian Superliga on November 26, an equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Luftëtari Gjirokastër. On April 22, 2017, Korabi Peshkopi's relegation was officially confirmed following a 4-0 home loss to Luftëtari Gjirokastër. On May 10, Mziu was sent-off during a 2-0 loss to Tirana after accumulating two yellow cards; it was his first ever top-flight red card. He concluded his second season with the club with 28 appearances, 26 of which were in the top flight.
3.5. Kastrioti Krujë
On July 31, 2017, Mziu was presented as the newest player for Kastrioti Krujë, signing a contract for the 2017-18 season. Wearing squad number 18, he made his official debut on September 16 in the opening matchday, a 2-0 away win against Burreli. His first goal for Kastrioti came on October 23 in a 3-1 home victory against his former club, Korabi Peshkopi, where Mziu netted the third goal of the match.
Mziu proved to be an important asset for Samuel Nikaj's team, playing 25 league matches and scoring twice. His contributions helped Kastrioti top Group A of the Albanian First Division, securing the club's return to the Albanian Superliga after a four-year absence. In the final championship match against Group B winners Tirana, Mziu played the full 90 minutes but could not prevent a 2-0 loss at Elbasan Arena.
On August 1, 2018, Mziu signed a new one-year contract with Kastrioti Krujë. He began the 2018-19 Albanian Superliga season on August 18 by scoring a penalty kick in a 1-0 away win against Luftëtari Gjirokastër in the opening week.
3.6. Besa Kavajë
On December 29, 2018, it was confirmed that Mziu had signed with Besa Kavajë.
4. Career Statistics
Below is a detailed tabular overview of Sokol Mziu's professional club career statistics.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Adriatiku Mamurras | 2010-11 | Albanian First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | |||
| Kukësi | 2011-12 | Albanian First Division | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 26 | 3 | ||
| 2012-13 | Albanian Superliga | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 15 | 1 | |||
| 2013-14 | - | - | 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 37 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | 43 | 5 | |||
| Tërbuni Pukë | 2013-14 | Albanian First Division | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 23 | 3 | ||
| 2014-15 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 49 | 6 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 51 | 6 | ||||
| Korabi Peshkopi | 2015-16 | Albanian First Division | 25 | 7 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 25 | 7 | ||
| 2016-17 | Albanian Superliga | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 1 | |||
| Total | 51 | 8 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 53 | 8 | ||||
| Kastrioti Krujë | 2017-18 | Albanian First Division | 25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 26 | 2 | ||
| 2018-19 | Albanian Superliga | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 1 | |||
| Total | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 27 | 3 | ||||
| Career total | 163 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 174 | 21 | ||