Erbim Fagu (born 15 April 1987) is a retired Albanian professional footballer who played as a defender. He retired from football in an early age of 27 due to numerous of injuries.[1] After retiring from playing football Erbim Fagu started his career as a coach.His beginnings as a coach were in the Akademia Futbollit created by two former national team players Alban Bushi and Redi Jupi. During this journey to this academy he grew professionally and won his first trophies as a coach.After two years in this academy, Erbim Fagu was transferred to one of the best private academies in Albania, Football Republic, which was created in 2018 by Redi Jupi, with whom they had worked together before in the Akademia Futbollit. In three years Erbim Fagu won many trophies making this academy one of the most famous in Albania.In June 2021 Erbim Fagu signed a three-year contract with the team of KF.Tirana. He was appointed as assistant coach in the first team and Head Coach KF.Tirana u-21. http://www.mcntv.al/2021/06/28/trajneri-34-vje-ar-rikthehet-te-tirana-em-rohet-n-stolin-e-bardhebluve This year he won the title of 26th champion with the first team. https://euronews.al/kryesore/2022/05/07/tirana-shpallet-kampione-pas-fitores-ne-derbi-me-partizanin/.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Erbim Fagu | ||
| Date of birth | (1987-04-15) 15 April 1987 (age 35) | ||
| Place of birth | Tiranë, Albania | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1993–2004 | KF Tirana | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2008 | Tirana | 29 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | → Teuta (loan) | 15 | (1) |
| 2008–2009 | Elbasani | 14 | (2) |
| 2009–2010 | Besa | 32 | (0) |
| 2010–2014 | Skënderbeu | 57 | (1) |
| Total | 147 | (5) | |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005–2006 | Albania U19 | 3 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | Albania U21 | 6 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2016–2017 | Akademia e Futbollit | ||
| 2017–2020 | Football Republic | ||
| 2021–2022 | Tirana (assistant) | ||
| 2021–2022 | Tirana U-21 | ||
| 2022– | AFC DWS | ||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 November 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 November 2015 | |||
Fagu was signed by KF Elbasani in the summer of 2008 after agreeing a fee believed to be around $120,000 with their fierce rivals KF Tirana. He signed for Dinamo Tirana after KF Elbasani were relegated after the 2008–09 season. Following the club's defeat and elimination from the Europa League, Fagu signed for Besa Kavajë and this year won the Albania Cup and runner up in Albania Superliga. One year later Fagu signed for Skenderbeu Korce and win the Albania Superliga four time in row.
On 16 May 2011, the final day of the 2010–11 season, he suffered an injury causing distorsive trauma in his left knee. He quickly travelled to Rome, Italy to see a specialist about the extent of the damage and then have his knee operated on 28 May. Following operation he continued regular physiotherapy which would enable him to begin training again in three months, but he was expected to not be able to play for at least another five months.[2] Fagu made his long-awaited return on 12 November 2011 during the international break in a friendly against FK Renova.
In May 2012, Fagu was called up for the first time in senior team by the coach Gianni De Biasi for the friendly matches against Qatar and Iran.[3]
He was a very versatile player. He was a skilful from a technical standpoint, Fagu was a physically strong, consistent, aggressive, and hard-tackling defender, with an extremely high work rate; he also possessed a powerful shot, and quick reactions, as well as an excellent positional sense and good anticipation, which enabled him to excel in this position; in his prime, he was widely regarded as one of the best right back in Albania. He has played in defence, midfield and as a forward, mainly on the right hand side. During his time at Besa Kavajë he has mainly played as a right full back but has played in midfield as well. In Skënderbeu Korçë he play right full back.[4]
From 2015 to 2018 have trained at Akademia Futbollit Academy. From 2018 to 2021 have trained at Football Republic Redi Jupi academy. He trains age levels from 7 years old to 19 years old. In 2021 Fagu have signed with KF.Tirana as Head Coach u-21 and assistant coach in the first team http://www.mcntv.al/2021/06/28/trajneri-34-vje-ar-rikthehet-te-tirana-em-rohet-n-stolin-e-bardhebluve .[5]
•AKADEMIA FUTBOLLIT
•FOOTBALL REPUBLIC