Rilind Nivokazi

Rilind Nivokazi (born 26 January 2000) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for the reserve team of Swiss Super League club Lugano.

Early career and Atalanta
Nivokazi at the age of 8, he started playing football in Collepieve, he besides being was part of Collepieve, he was part even of Grifoponte (2011), Bastia (2011–2013) and Monte Malbe (2013–2014). On 23 May 2014, Nivokazi joined with youth team of Italian giants Atalanta. In 2017–18 season, he started playing for Atalanta's under-19 squad.

Loan at Bologna Youth Sector
On 18 January 2019, Nivokazi joined Campionato Primavera 2 club Bologna, on a six-month-long loan. One day later, he made his debut in a 2–3 away win against SPAL after coming on as a substitute at 57th minute in place of Kaloyan Krastev. On 16 February 2019, he scored his first goal for Bologna in his fifth appearance for the club in a 2–2 away draw over Hellas Verona in Campionato Primavera 2.

Loan at Lecco
On 10 July 2019, Nivokazi joined newly-promoted Serie C club Lecco, on a season-long loan. On 25 August 2019, he was named as a Lecco substitute for the first time in a league match against Arezzo. His debut with Lecco came thirteen days later in a league match against Novara after coming on as a substitute at 76th minute in place of Marco Moleri.

Foggia
On 1 February 2021, Nivokazi joined Serie C side Foggia and receiving squad number 30. Twelve days later, he made his debut in a 0–2 home defeat against Catanzaro after coming on as a substitute at 81st minute in place of Ibourahima Baldé.

Chiasso
On 4 August 2021, he signed with Swiss club Chiasso.

Lugano
In December 2022, Nivokazi joined Rapperswil-Jona, before moving to FC Lugano in July 2023, where he was going to play for the clubs reserve team.

International career
From 2016, until 2017, Nivokazi has been part of Italy at youth international level, respectively has been part of the U16, U17 and U18 teams and he with these teams played ten matches and scored two goals. On 15 March 2021, Nivokazi received a call-up from Kosovo U21 for the friendly matches against Qatar U23. Eleven days later, he made his debut with Kosovo U21 in first match against Qatar U23 after being named in the starting line-up.

Personal life
Nivokazi was born in Perugia, Italy to Kosovo Albanian parents from Gjakova.