About Armando Sadiku
Armando Sadiku (born 27 May 1991) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Swiss Challenge League club Bellinzona. Sadiku began his senior career with Turbina playing two seasons in Albania's second tier Kategoria e Parë. In 2009 he went to Gramozi in top-flight division Kategoria Superiore where he had a breakthrough year, scoring eight goals, which earned him a move to fellow top-flight side Elbasani. Sadiku played only a half season with Elbasani, as he was banned from Albanian football due to non-sporting behavior. His ban forced him to move abroad going to Switzerland playing at first for Locarno. Sadiku found his form in Switzerland, becoming a reliable goalscorer in second tier Swiss Challenge League, where he won the top goalscorer award in his first full season. In July 2012 he moved to Lugano, and scored 20 goals in the 2012-13 season. This was enough for him to be the league's top scorer for the second year in a row. In November 2013, he joined top flight side Zürich, but his time at the club was marred by lack of playing time and a injuries. Most notably a knee ligament injury in May 2014, which left him sidelined for six months. He returned the next season but failed to make a significant impact, scoring only three goals, but the club still won the 2013–14 Swiss Cup. Sadiku's form improved in the first half of 2015–16 season, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances. Despite being the top scorer of the team at this time, he was sent on loan to fellow relegation strugglers Vaduz, which was dubbed as an "owngoal" by Swiss media. Sadiku helped Vaduz to retain their top flight status for another season, in addition relegating his parent club. In January 2017, Sadiku was sent on loan again, this time at his former side FC Lugano where he rejoined Paolo Tramezzani. In 2023, following a successful stint with the Spanish club FC Cartagena, he joined Indian Super League side Mohun Bagan Super Giant. At youth level, he represented Albania under-19 and under-21 side He made his senior debut in 2012 in a friendly against Georgia. He was part of Albania's UEFA Euro 2016 squad, where he scored Albania's first-ever goal at a UEFA European Championship. Sadiku's 12 goals for Albania mean he sits fifth in the country's top scorer rankings. Sadiku found his form in Switzerland, becoming a reliable goalscorer in second tier Swiss Challenge League, winning top goalscorer award in his first full season 2011–12 Swiss Challenge League.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.