Introduction
Daniel Xhafaj (born 8 March 1977) is a retired Albanian professional footballer who played as a striker.
Club career
Besa Kavajë
Xhafaj signed for Besa Kavajë on 27 August 2009 after having played in the Champions League qualifiers with previous club Tirana against Norwegian side Stabæk. Tirana's failure to qualify to the next round lead to Xhafaj considering his options, one of those came from Besa's president Nexhat Bizhdili who had great ambitions to make Besa one of Albania's top sides. Just days before finalising the deal for the striker, he had a meeting with Bizhdili to discuss a possible transfer, after he was convinced he signed on 27 August 2009 and trained with the rest of the club at their preseason training camp in Mavrovë.
On 29 November 2009, in the matchday 12 away against Vllaznia Shkodër, Xhafaj scored in the 35th second of the match to make it the fastest goal ever in Albanian Superliga; Besa won 3–2. The record was later broken by Partizani Tirana's Stevan Račić in 2014.
Flamurtari Vlorë
He was released by the Flamurtari chairman Shpëtim Gjika on 19 July 2011, along with three other main players, Sebino Plaku, Bledar Devolli and Julian Ahmataj.
Skënderbeu Korçë
Despite interest from Greek side PAS Giannina, Xhafaj signed a one-year contract with Albanian champions Skënderbeu Korçë on 23 July 2011, just 4 days after being released by Flamurtari. It was believed he had signed a contract worth €70,000 for the 2011–12 season.
Teuta Durres
Xhafa returned to Teuta Durres after a 5-year absence on 2 August 2012. He left the team on 30 May 2014 at the end of the season after his contract expired and the club's directors decided not to renew his contract.
International career
Xhafa was called for the first time in national team in June 2007 by the coach Otto Barić for the qualifying match against Luxembourg in Luxembourg city. He was able to make his debut in this match, featuring in the last 13 minutes of the 3–0 win at Stade Josy Barthel.
Career statistics
Club
| Club | League | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Flamurtari Vlorë | Albanian Superliga | 1995–96 | 1 | 0 | ? | ? | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 1996–97 | 11 | 0 | ? | ? | — | — | 11 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | 22 | 3 | ? | ? | — | — | 22 | 3 | ||
| 1998–99 | 23 | 10 | ? | ? | — | — | 23 | 10 | ||
| 1999–00 | 7 | 2 | 2+ | 5 | — | — | 9 | 7 | ||
| Total | 64 | 15 | 2+ | 5+ | — | — | 66 | 20 | ||
| Bylis Ballsh | Albanian Superliga | 1999–00 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 8 |
| Total | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 8 | ||
| Dinamo Tirana | Albanian Superliga | 1999–00 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 1 |
| 2000–01 | 30 | 11 | ? | ? | — | — | 30 | 11 | ||
| 2001–02 | 24 | 10 | 3+ | 2 | — | — | 27 | 12 | ||
| 2002–03 | 13 | 2 | 1+ | 1 | — | — | 14 | 3 | ||
| Total | 72 | 24 | 4+ | 3 | — | — | 76 | 27 | ||
| Flamurtari Vlorë | Albanian Superliga | 2002–03 | ? | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | ? | 4 |
| 2003–04 | 30 | 11 | ? | ? | — | — | 30 | 11 | ||
| Total | 72 | 24 | 4+ | 3 | — | — | 76 | 27 | ||
| Career Total | 80 | 23 | 2+ | 5+ | 0 | 0 | 82 | 28 | ||
International
As of 7 July 2015
| Albania national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 |
Honours
Club
- Albanian Superliga: 2001–02
- Albanian Cup: 2004–05
- Albanian Superliga: 2008–09
- Albanian Supercup: 2007
- Albanian Cup: 2009–10
- Albanian Superliga Runner-up: 2010–11
- Albanian Superliga: 2011–12
Individual
- Albanian Golden Boot (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
- Albanian Superliga Player of the Month: September 2013