Eris Tafaj
| 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 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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.
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]
Honors
London City
- Open Canada Cup (1): 2003
References
- ^ a b "Leadership Opportunities". teampageswidgets.com. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ "Eris Tafaj - Men's Soccer". Oakland University Athletics. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ "- Career History". static.detroittitans.com. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ Rumleski, Kathy (4 June 2003). "Albanian team came to play and stayed". London Free Press.
- ^ "Open Canada Cup Victory for London City". 2 September 2003. Archived from the original on 26 November 2003. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ Pyette, Ryan (4 June 2004). "City opens without top scorer Eris Tafaj". London Free Press.
- ^ a b "CSL TO SELECT TWO ALL STAR TEAMS FOR UPCOMING SEASON – Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "AlbanianSoccer - KS Shkumbini". Archived from the original on 14 February 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ Dalla Costa, Morris (28 December 2005). "City still chasing leading role in CPSL". London Free Press. Archived from the original on 28 December 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Albanian Kategoria Superiore - Europe Football". www.englj.com. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Тафай Эрвис, , футболист". footballfacts.ru. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ Dalla Costa, Morris (5 October 2006). "Murphy's Law rules City season". London Free Press.
- ^ "Canadian Soccer League". 2 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ "Staff". eurostarsoccer.com. Retrieved 28 August 2019.