Lorik Cana

Lorik Cana is a defensive midfielder for Lazio. He was born on 27 July 1983 in Pristina, Albania.

Lorik began his youth career at Lausanne youth academy located in Switzerland. Cana successfully passed tests for the most talented students and got into the youth team. During many years Lorik trained hard and played with Lausanne youth team at youth championships. In 2000 Lorik was scouted by Ligue 1 Paris Saint-Germain. After short talks the clubs agreed on Cana’s transfer to Paris club. From 2000 to 2002 Cana played for PSG youth team.

Lorik’s professional career started in 2002. He signed for PSG and joined the first squad. During 3 seasons at PSG Cana made 69 appearances and scored 2 goals. The Albanian defensive midfielder was popular among the coaching staff who wanted to open up the young player’s full potential.

2005 was a turning point and the most successful stage of Lorik’s career. The Albanian joined Marseille and was made a key midfielder. During 4 years at the French club Lorik played 122 matches and scored 8 goals.

In 2009 Lorik moved to English Sunderland. He was a key defender at the club with 31 appearances during the 2009/10 season. After the season was over though Süper Lig Galatasaray made an official request for purchasing the Albanian and after short talks Cana left for Turkey. During the 2010/11 season he scored 1 goal in 24 appearances for the Turkish giant.

In 2011 Lorik signed for his current club S.S. Lazio. So far the Albanian halfback featured in 14 matches and scored 2 goals for the Italian club.

Lorik Cana was named Albanian Footballer of the Year for 3 consecutive years from 2004. He also earned Albanian Fan’s Footballer of the Year award in 2009.

Since 2004 Cana has been capped 55 times and scored 1 goal for the Albanian national team.