Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Foto Strakosha

How Foto Strakosha built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Foto Strakosha is a retired Albanian professional football goalkeeper, now serving as a goalkeeping coach for Lazio Youth. His career was spent as a player, where he specialized as a goalkeeper. His current role involves training young goalkeepers, suggesting an ongoing involvement in the sport after his playing career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1982: Joined Minatori Youth Teams

In 1982, Foto Strakosha joined the youth teams of local club Minatori.

1985: Played for Minatori Tepelene

From 1985, Foto Strakosha played for Minatori Tepelenë until 1988.

1985: Started senior career with Minatori Tepelene

In 1985, Foto Strakosha began his senior career with Minatori Tepelenë.

1986: Initiated move to Dinamo Tirana

In 1986, discussions began for Foto Strakosha to move to Dinamo Tirana after contacts between coaches Skënder Ibrahimi and Bejkush Birçe, leading to his eventual transfer.

1988: Joined Dinamo Tirana

In 1988, Foto Strakosha joined Dinamo Tirana and established himself as a regular squad member.

1988: Left Minatori Tepelene

In 1988, Foto Strakosha left Minatori Tepelene.

September 1989: Featured against Dinamo Bucuresti

In September 1989, Foto Strakosha featured against Dinamo București in the first round of the European Cup Winners' Cup.

November 1989: Albania U21 debut

In November 1989, Foto Strakosha debuted at international level with the Albania under-21 team, in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match against Poland. The match ended in a 1–0 defeat for Albania.

May 1990: Senior Debut for Albania

On May 30, 1990, Foto Strakosha made his senior debut for Albania under coach Bejkush Birçe in a UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying match against Iceland. Albania lost the match 2–0 in Reykjavík. Strakosha was 25 years old at the time.

December 1990: Arrived in Greece and Applied for Political Asylum

In December 1990, Foto Strakosha arrived in Greece and applied for political asylum, leading to a trial with PAS Giannina and the start of his professional career in Greek football.

1990: Debut for PAS Giannina

In 1990, Foto Strakosha debuted for PAS Giannina, marking his first experience outside Albania.

1990: First cap for Albania national team

In 1990, Foto Strakosha earned his first cap for the Albania national team.

1990: Played against Marseille

In 1990, Foto Strakosha played both legs against Marseille in the 1990–91 European Cup First round.

1991: Departure from Dinamo Tirana

Foto Strakosha departed from Dinamo Tirana in 1991.

1991: Joined Ethnikos Piraeus

In 1991, Foto Strakosha joined Greek side Ethnikos Piraeus, marking the beginning of a longer period in his career in Greece.

1991: Move to Greece

In 1991, Foto Strakosha moved to Greece to continue his football career.

August 1993: Debut for Olympiacos

On 29 August 1993, Foto Strakosha made his debut for Olympiacos in a 1–1 draw away to Aris Thessaloniki.

1993: Established as first-choice goalkeeper

By 1993, Foto Strakosha had established himself as Ethnikos Piraeus' first-choice goalkeeper, making 33 league appearances.

1993: Joined Olympiacos

Early in 1993, Foto Strakosha joined Olympiacos, becoming part of the squad and representing a step up to one of the most competitive teams in Greek football.

1993: Featured in the UEFA Cup

In 1993–94 season, Foto Strakosha featured in European competition during the season, making three appearances in the 1993–94 UEFA Cup.

1994: Started the campaign with Olympiacos

In the 1994–95 Alpha Ethniki, Foto Strakosha began the campaign with a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory against Doxa Drama.

February 1995: Returned to regular play

In February 1995, Foto Strakosha returned to regular play with Olympiacos, featuring in all remaining league matches.

March 1995: Clean sheet against Moldova

On March 29, 1995, Strakosha kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory against Moldova and was substituted in the final eight minutes of the match. This marked the only time he was replaced during the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying campaign.

June 1995: Captained Albania for the first time

On June 7, 1995, Foto Strakosha captained Albania for the first time in the return fixture against Moldova, during the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying. He played the full match, securing a 3–2 away victory.

1995: Played in the Alpha Ethniki and Greek Cup

During the 1995–96 season, Foto Strakosha played 12 matches in the Alpha Ethniki and featured in the Greek Cup.

1996: Involvement in the 1996–97 season

At the start of the 1996–97 season, Foto Strakosha featured in the opening two 1996–97 Alpha Ethniki matches and in both legs of the first round of the 1996–97 UEFA Cup against Ferencváros.

1996: Won the league title with Olympiacos

In the 1996–97 season, Foto Strakosha and Olympiacos won the league title.

August 1997: Debut for Panionios

On 31 August 1997, Foto Strakosha made his debut for Panionios in a 3–0 home defeat against Panathinaikos in the Greek top division.

1997: League Appearances for Panionios

During the 1997–98 Alpha Ethniki season, Foto Strakosha made 32 league appearances for Panionios, keeping eight clean sheets in total.

1997: Made five appearances in the Greek Cup

During the 1997–98 Greek Cup, Foto Strakosha made five appearances for Panionios, featuring in both quarter-final and semi-final legs, as well as the final.

1997: Joined Panionios

In the summer of 1997, Foto Strakosha joined Panionios on a two-year contract, aiming to re-establish himself as a regular first-team goalkeeper.

1998: League Appearances and Greek Cup Appearance

During the 1998–99 Alpha Ethniki season, Foto Strakosha made 24 appearances, keeping five clean sheets. He also made one appearance in the 1998–99 Greek Cup.

1998: Featured in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

During the 1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Foto Strakosha featured in all of Panionios' matches as the club reached the quarter-finals of the competition.

September 1999: Competitive debut for Ionikos

In mid-September 1999, Foto Strakosha made his competitive debut for Ionikos in the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup, featuring in both legs against Nantes. Ionikos were eliminated 4–1 on aggregate.

1999: Moved to Ionikos

In the summer of 1999, Foto Strakosha moved to Ionikos.

2002: Moved to Kallithea

In the first half of the 2002–03 season, Foto Strakosha moved to Kallithea.

2003: Moved to Kalamata and Ethnikos Asteras

In 2003, Foto Strakosha played for Kalamata and later Ethnikos Asteras in the Greek second division.

2004: Returned to top flight with Proodeftiki

For the remainder of the 2003–04 season, Foto Strakosha returned to the top flight with Proodeftiki.

February 2005: Final International Appearance

On February 9, 2005, Foto Strakosha made his final international appearance in a 2–0 loss to Ukraine. He also became the oldest player to represent Albania, at the age of 39 years, 10 months, and 17 days.

April 2005: Penalty Save Record in Greek Top Division

On April 3, 2005, in a league match against Kerkyra, Strakosha saved a penalty, reaching a total of 14 penalties saved in the Alpha Ethniki. This set a record in the Greek top division for the most penalties saved by a goalkeeper in the competition, surpassing the previous record held by Georgios Dafkos since 1995.