KF Drenica

Drenica
Full nameKF Drenica
NicknamesKuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat e Zeza (Black Eagles)
Short nameKFD, FCD
Founded1958 (1958)
GroundBajram Aliu Stadium
Capacity4,000
PresidentThomas Wüstefeld
Vice-presidentFaton Seferi
ManagerThomas Brdaric
LeagueKosovo Superleague
2024–25Kosovo First League – Group A, 1st of 10 (promoted)

KF Drenica (Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Drenica), commonly known as Drenica, is a professional football club based in Skënderaj, Kosovo. The club plays in the Kosovo Superleague, which is the top tier of football in the country.

History

KF Drenica was founded in 1958 in the city of Skenderaj and is considered one of the oldest and most well-known football clubs in Kosovo.[1] During Yugoslav times, the club was known as FK Budućnost (Albanian: KF Buduqnosti or KF Ardhmëria). Since its establishment, the club has proudly represented the Drenica region, wearing the red and black colors and the symbol of the black double-headed eagle as an expression of local identity and resilience.[1]

Over the following decades, KF Drenica went through various stages of development, facing challenges and achieving important milestones. From its modest beginnings, the club gradually became part of the national football scene in Kosovo, with one of its most notable achievements being reaching the 2005–06 Kosovar Cup final,[2] which marked a turning point at the national level despite not winning the trophy.

After the end of the Kosovo War, KF Drenica became a regular participant in the Kosovo Superleague, except for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons when the club was relegated to the Kosovo First League.[3] However, in the 2024–25 season, following strong organization and continuous commitment, Drenica won the First League title and secured promotion back to the Superleague, reaffirming its ambition to remain part of the elite of Kosovar football.[4]

Players

Current squad

As of 3 October 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  KOS Kenan Haxhihamza
2 DF  KOS Andi Veliqi
3 DF  KOS Arbër Shala
4 DF  KOS Granit Jashari
5 DF  ALB Keslin Shani
6 DF  BRA Christian Silva
7 FW  KOS Igball Jashari
8 MF  KOS Auron Hamiti
9 FW  ALB Jeton Krasniqi
10 FW  KOS Genc Hamiti (captain)
11 MF  KOS Altin Vojvoda
12 GK  BRA Tiago Gomes
13 DF  ALB Indrit Prodani
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 DF  ESP Oier Sarriegi
20 MF  AZE Elmir Tagiyev
21 MF  KOS Visar Aliu
22 DF  ALB Eneid Kodra
25 MF  ALB Erisildo Smaci
27 DF  ALB Anteo Osmanllari
28 FW  KOS Kreshnik Uka
29 MF  KOS Elvis Geci
36 FW  VEN Ronaldo Chacón
47 FW  ENG Udoyen Akpan
77 MF  KOS Jon Birinxhiku
97 GK  KOS Rion Meha
98 GK  KOS Riad Demiri

Other players under contract

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF  KOS Arblert Beka
MF  KOS Erion Idrizi
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  KOS Malësor Rrecaj

Personnel

Current technical staff
Position Name
Head coach Gani Sejdiu
Assistant coach Florim Gjinovci
Goalkeeping coach Zymer Kadriu
Assistant coach Naser Shaqiri
Doctor Besnik Deliu

List of managers

  • Valdet Shoshi (2005–2007)
  • Tahir Lushtaku (–3 Jun 2013)
  • Fadil Rama (30 Jun 2013–18 Sep 2013)[5]
  • Afrim Jashari (19 Sep 2013–16 Mar 2014)[6]
  • Mehmet Mehmeti (18 Mar 2014–Jun 2015)[7]
  • Fadil Rama (29 Jul 2015–Sep 2015)
  • Valdet Shoshi (16 Sep 2015–17 Mar 2016)[8]
  • Fadil Rama (18 Mar 2016–Jun 2016)[9]
  • Afrim Jashari (Jul 2016–25 Nov 2016)[10]
  • Bekim Shotani (17 Jun 2017–Dec 2017)[11]
  • Sadat Pajaziti (4 Jan 2018–Jun 2018)[12]
  • Tahir Lushtaku (Jul 2018–Dec 2019)[13]
  • Gani Sejdiu (3 Jan 2020–)[14]
  • Bledar Devolli (3 Jan 2020–)
  • Gani Sejdiu (2024–)

References

  1. ^ a b "Historiku" [History] (in Albanian). KF Drenica. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  2. ^ "Kosovo 2005/06". RSSSF. 2006.
  3. ^ "Drenica bie nga Superliga për herë të parë në histori të klubit" [Drenica is relegated from the Superleague for the first time in the club's history] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 6 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Drenica shpallet kampione e Ligës së Parë – Grupi A dhe rikthehet në Superligë" [Drenica is declared the champion of the First League – Group A and returns to the Superleague] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 10 May 2025.
  5. ^ Fadil Rama, trajneri i ri i Drenicës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  6. ^ Zyrtare: Afrim Jashari do ta udhëheqë Drenicën - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  7. ^ Zyrtare: Mehmeti, trajner i ri i Drenicës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  8. ^ Trajner i Drenicës është Valdet Shoshi - Gazeta Olle (in Albanian)
  9. ^ Shkon Shoshi, arrin Rama - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  10. ^ Drenica mbetet pa trajner - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  11. ^ Zyrtare: Bekim Shotani trajner i Drenicës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  12. ^ Zyrtare: Sadat Pajaziti, trajner i Drenicës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)
  13. ^ Drenica bëhet me trajner të ri - Gazeta Sheshi (in Albanian)
  14. ^ Zyrtare: Gani Sejdiu, trajner i ri i Drenicës - Telegrafi (in Albanian)