Ronaldo Shani Explained

Ronaldo Shani (el|Ρονάλντο Σάνι; born 29 March 2002) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as a forward for Piraeus FCA First Division club Ionikos.

Early life

Shani was born in Greece to Albanian parents.^[1]

Club career

Having begun his career with Atromitos Metamorfosis, Shani joined the academy of professional side Atromitos at the age of thirteen.^{[1] [2]} In November 2016 he went on trial with Italian side Atalanta.^[1] He marked his unofficial debut for Atromitos with a goal, scoring in a friendly against Panathinaikos on 12 September 2018.^[2] The following week he signed his first professional contract with the club.^[3]

Shani made his professional debut for Atromitos on 19 December 2018, coming on as a substitute for Theodoros Vasilakakis in an 8–0 win over Thyella Kamariou in the Greek Cup.^[4] In October 2019, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian on "Next Generation" list, highlighting the best players in the world born in 2002.^[5]

He was loaned to Super League Greece 2 side Asteras Vlachioti in August 2021, alongside teammate Fotis Zannis.^[6] Following seven appearances for the club, he returned to Atromitos, but moved immediately to Gamma Ethniki side Ypato on a free transfer.^[7] Later in the same year, he moved to Germany to join Hessenliga side SV Neuhof.^[8]

On his return to Greece in January 2023, he joined Thesprotos.^[9] After half a year with Thesprotos, he moved to Panelefsiniakos in September of the same year.^[10] This spell was also short, and in January 2024 he joined Thyella Rafina.^{[11] [12]} After trialling with Amarynthiakos,^[13] he signed for Ionikos in September of the same year.^{[14] [15]}

International career

Eligible to represent Greece and Albania at international level, Shani rejected an approach from the Albanian Football Association in order to represent Greece.^[5] He went on to represent Greece at under-16 and under-17 level.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Atromitos	2018–19	Super League Greece	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	2019–20		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2020–21		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2021–22		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Asteras Vlachioti (loan)	2021–22	Super League Greece 2	7	0	1	0	0	0	8	0
SV Neuhof	2022–23	Hessenliga	13	2	0	0	0	0	13	2
Thesprotos	2022–23	Super League Greece 2	11	1	0	0	0	0	11	1
Career total			31	3	2	0	0	0	33	3

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ιταλικό ενδιαφέρον για τον 14χρονο Ρονάλντο του Ατρόμητου. Italian interest in 14-year-old Ronaldo of Atromitos. 22 November 2016. 27 August 2023. contra.gr. el.
2. Web site: Ρονάλντο: Ο νέος Λημνιός του Ατρομήτου. Ronaldo: The new Limnion of Atromitos. 12 September 2018. 27 August 2023. sdna.gr. el.
3. Web site: Επαγγελματικά συμβόλαια για τρεις στον Ατρόμητο. Professional contracts for three in Atromitos. 19 September 2018. 27 August 2023. fosonline.gr. el.
4. Web site: Πρόκριση στην επόμενη φάση του κυπέλλου. Advance to the next phase of the cup. 19 December 2018. 27 August 2023. atromitosfc.gr. el.
5. Web site: Next Generation 2019: 60 of the best young talents in world football. Marcus. Christenson. Jim. Powell. Garry. Blight. 10 October 2019. 11 November 2021. The Guardian.
6. Web site: Ατρόμητος: Δανεικοί στον Αστέρα Βλαχιώτη οι Ρονάλντο και Ζάννης. Atromitos: Ronaldo and Zannis on loan to Asteras Vlachiotis. 25 August 2021. 27 August 2023. sportime.gr. el.
7. Web site: Γ’ Εθνική: «Σουπερλιγκάτη» ενίσχυση στην επίθεση για τον ΑΟ Υπάτου!. 3rd National Team: "Super League" reinforcement in the attack for AO Ypatos!. 3 February 2022. 27 August 2023. mikriliga.com. el.
8. Web site: Ronaldo sieht zweite Neuhofer Niederlage. Ronaldo sees second Neuhofer defeat. 8 August 2022. 27 August 2023. osthessen-news.de. de.
9. Web site: Κουέβας και Σάνι ο Θεσπρωτός. Kuevas and Shani the Thesprotos. 22 January 2023. 27 August 2023. footballleaguenews.gr. el.
10. Web site: Πάει για Σάνι ο Πανελευσινιακός. The Pan-Leviticus is going for Shani. Kyriakos. Pantzaridis. 6 September 2023. 9 October 2024. soccerlive.gr. el.
11. Web site: Ανακοίνωση μεταγραφής Ρονάλντο Σάνι. Ronaldo Shani transfer announcement. 6 January 2024. 9 October 2024. thiellafc.gr. el.
12. Web site: O 21χρονος Ρονάλντο Σάνι στην ”Θύελλα” Ραφήνας. The 21-year-old Ronaldo Shani in "Thyella" Rafina. 7 January 2024. 9 October 2024. rpn.gr. el.
13. Web site: Ελεύθερος ο Ρονάλντο Σάνι. Ronaldo Shani is free. Kyriakos. Pantzaridis. 11 September 2024. 9 October 2024. soccerlive.gr. el.
14. Web site: Στον Ιωνικό ο Ρονάλντο Σάνι!. Ronaldo Shani in the Ionian!. 9 October 2024. ionikosfc.gr. el.
15. Web site: Ιωνικός: Ενίσχυση της επιθετικής γραμμής με Ρονάλντο Σάνι. Ionian: Reinforcement of the attacking line with Ronaldo Shani. Valantis. Makroglou. 18 September 2024. 9 October 2024. peiraiotika.gr. el.