Eris Tafaj
Eris Tafaj (born September 10, 1980) is an Albanian former footballer who played in the Canadian Professional/Soccer League, and Albanian Superliga. He is currently a trainer and coach with Eurostar Football Academy and Elite Development Soccer Academy.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Ervis Tafaj | ||
Date of birth | 10 September 1980 | ||
Place of birth | Albania | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Youth career | |||
Partizani FK | |||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2000 | Oakland Golden Grizzlies | ||
2001–2002 | Detroit Mercy Titans | 38 | (12) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2003–2005 | London City | ||
2005–2006 | Shkumbini | 8 | (0) |
2006 | London City | ||
2011 | London City | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Playing career
Tafaj played at the youth level with Partizani FK, but ultimately settled in Canada at the age of 14.[1] In 2000, he began to play at the college level with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.[2] In 2001, he transferred to play with the Detroit Titans.[3] In 2003, he played in the Canadian Professional Soccer League with London City.[4] Throughout the 2003 season he helped London secure the Open Canada Cup, where he successfully registered a goal in the penalty shoot-out.[5] At the conclusion of the season he finished as the club's top goalscorer, and team MVP.[6]
In 2005, he was selected for the CPSL All-Star team against Glasgow Rangers.[7] After leading London in the scoring charts he was transferred to KS Shkumbini in the Albanian Superliga.[8][9][10][11] After a season abroad he returned to London, and was selected for the second time to the CSL All-Star team against Clyde F.C..[7] In the middle of the season he departed from the club, but would eventually return for the 2011 season.[12][13]
Managerial career
After retiring from professional he was recruited by former London City head coach Luka Shaqiri as a staff coach for Eurostar Football Academy.[14] Along with former teammate Isa Bulku he formed Elite Development Soccer Academy.[1]
References
- "Leadership Opportunities". teampageswidgets.com. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
- "Eris Tafaj - Men's Soccer". Oakland University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
- "- Career History". static.detroittitans.com. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- Rumleski, Kathy (June 4, 2003). "Albanian team came to play and stayed". London Free Press.
- "Open Canada Cup Victory for London City". web.archive.org. September 2, 2003. Archived from the original on November 26, 2003. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
- Pyette, Ryan (June 4, 2004). "City opens without top scorer Eris Tafaj". London Free Press.
- "CSL TO SELECT TWO ALL STAR TEAMS FOR UPCOMING SEASON – Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. June 25, 2012. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- "AlbanianSoccer - KS Shkumbini". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on February 14, 2006. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- Dalla Costa, Morris (2005-12-28). "City still chasing leading role in CPSL". web.archive.org. London Free Press. Archived from the original on December 28, 2005. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- "Albanian Kategoria Superiore - Europe Football". www.englj.com. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- "Тафай Эрвис, , футболист". footballfacts.ru. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
- Dalla Costa, Morris (October 5, 2006). "Murphy's Law rules City season". London Free Press.
- "Canadian Soccer League". web.archive.org. 2011-10-02. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
- "Staff". eurostarsoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-08-28.