Shefki Kuqi

Shefki Kuqi (pronounced ; born 10 November 1976) is a Finnish football manager of Kosovar club Feronikeli, and former professional footballer of Albanian descent who played predominantly as a striker.

He spent most of his career in the English football league system, for clubs including Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Swansea City and Oldham Athletic.

He made over 500 career league appearances, scoring over 150 goals.

Kuqi also represented the Finland national football team at international level, with eight goals from 62 appearances.

His trademark goal celebration of swallow-diving onto the ground has led to his nickname of the "Flying Finn".

Kuqi started his youth career at Trepça, and he played several games for the youth team, but he and his family later moved to Finland as Kosovar Albanian immigrants.

Kuqi started his playing career with Kangasniemen Palloseura.

He later played for Mikkelin Kissat, Mikkelin Palloilijat, HJK and FC Jokerit in Finland's Veikkausliiga.

He scored the second goal in the 81st minute at Hillsborough to ensure a win after Lloyd Owusu had opened the scoring with his very first touch of the ball on his debut.

Kuqi played in the UEFA Champions League in the autumn of 1998 with HJK.

Kuqi was the league top scorer in the 2000 season, representing FC Jokerit.

Having played for three clubs in Finland's Veikkausliiga, Kuqi became more well known, leading to his transfer to Stockport County.

Regarded by many as the saviour of County's 2000–01 season as he impressed with his speed and strength, he went on to score six goals in eighteen games to help County retain their division one status.

Kuqi is still the club's second most internationally capped player.

However, under player-manager Carlton Palmer, after he succeeded Andy Kilner as manager, Kuqi was used less frequently.

His good performances led him being linked with his future club Blackburn.

Kuqi was on the verge of joining Blackburn worth about a £1.2 million fee, but the move broke down and he accused Palmer of threatening him to be sacked for being injured Palmer was responsible for pressuring Graeme Souness for Kuqi not joining the club.

Kuqi still maintains his accusations towards Palmer, claiming his management is 'clueless' and feels the club made a mistake having Palmer as manager.

Kuqi joined Blackburn Rovers four years later.

Kuqi joined Stockport County in January 2001.

Kuqi made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Tranmere Rovers on 3 February 2001.

Kuqi joined Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed sum and signed a three-year deal Kuqi made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Crewe on 12 January 2002.

At Sheffield Wednesday he scored 19 times between January 2002 and September 2003, unfortunately with Wednesday being relegated to Division Two (or League One as it is now known) during his time at Hillsborough.

Many Wednesday fans were bemused though at then manager Chris Turner's decision to let Kuqi leave for Ipswich for free after a strained relationship between the two.

Whilst in Sheffield, Kuqi also scored a goal against Sheffield United in The Steel City Derby.

In September 2003, Kuqi joined Ipswich Town on loan.

After making 11 appearances and scoring 4 goals, Kuqi joined Ipswich Town permanently in November despite late interest from Town's rival Norwich City.

For the next two seasons at Ipswich Town, Kuqi became a regular in the first team and able to score goals.

He scored 20 goals in the Championship for Ipswich in the 2004–05 season, which made him the club's leading top scorer, along with Darren Bent.

By the end of the season with his contract at Ipswich Town coming to an end, Kuqi rejected the offer of a new contract with the club.

His form with Ipswich earned him a move to the Premier League with Blackburn.

Kuqi made his debut in a 3–1 loss against West Ham United on 13 September 2005 and scored his first goal of the Premier League and scored again in a 2–0 win over West Brom on 1 October 2005.

After the match, manager Mark Hughes praised Kuqi for his two-goal performance.

Kuqi then scored his second brace of the season in a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 26 December 2005.

During the season, Kuqi struggled to command a first team place and found himself on the bench.

Kuqi scored seven Premier League goals for Blackburn in the 2005–06 season, but couldn't replicate his form from his time at Ipswich Town.

During the following season Kuqi struggled to break into the first team and made only one appearance, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 loss against Portsmouth.

Six years later, Kuqi revealed he almost joined Celtic, but the club instead opted to sign Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

He joined Crystal Palace for a reported £2.5 million transfer fee at the end of the August transfer window in 2006.

On his move, Kuqi admits he was surprised by Blackburn when he was sold to Crystal Palace and made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Luton Town.