User:Ytfc23/YTFC Sandbox/Albi Skendi

Albi Skendi (born 26 September 1993) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Orange County SC.

Skendi began his career in the youth system at Oxford City and made his debut for the club in 2012. During his time at Oxford City, Skendi spent time on a dual-registration loan deal with Oxford City Nomads. In his first season Skendi helped Oxford City achieve promotion via the play-offs to the Conference North. In November 2012, Skendi joined Banbury United for whom he made more than 50 appearances either side of a four-month return to Oxford City. In 2014, Skendi left his adopted home of England to pursue an education in Business administration on an athletic scholarship with Santa Barbara City College and Marymount California University. While in California, Skendi also featured for United Premier Soccer League sides Santa Clarita Storm and L.A. Wolves FC. After completing his degree, Skendi returned to England to join seventh tier side Stratford Town. Skendi's form for Stratford led to a trial and subsequent professional contract at Yeovil Town, he spent two seasons with the National League side making 79 appearances and scoring nine goals across all competitions. Before in July 2021, despite still being under contract Skendi chose not to return to Yeovil's pre-season training, instead moving back to the United States to renew his green card. Ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season, Skendi joined Western Conference side Orange County SC.

Early life
Born in Albania, Skendi lived with his grandmother until the age of five before he joined the rest of his family who had previously emigrated to Greece. At the age of six, Skendi and his family permanently relocated to Oxford, England. Initially Skendi's passion was for karate, but switched his focus to football as a child.

Early career
Skendi began his football career in the youth system of Oxford City where he was named Youth Team Players' Players of the Year in May 2011.

Skendi spent the majority of the 2011–12 season playing on a dual-registration deal with Hellenic Football League side Oxford City Nomads, and was part of the Nomads squad that won the Hellenic Premier Division title. On 7 April 2012, Skendi made his first team debut for Oxford City in the Southern League Premier Division as an 83rd minute substitute in a 0–0 draw against Cambridge City.


 * Second appearance vs. Redditch
 * First start vs. Brackley
 * Hemel 23 April sub
 * Frome start
 * Hitchin final league game of the season

Hellenic League winner 2012 Southern League promotion 2012


 * Conference South start of season


 * Move to Banbury United


 * Trial with Swindon


 * Return to Oxford City


 * Return to Banbury


 * Trial with Reading

Move to the United States
In 2014, he left his adopted home of England to study finance and business administration on an athletic scholarship at Santa Barbara City College. He played a single season of college soccer with the Vaqueroes in 2015, making 20 appearances, scoring two goals and providing two assists. He transferred to Marymount California University and played with the team's soccer team in 2016.

While out there spent 5 seasons in the Pro-Premier Division for Santa Clarita Storm

L.A. Wolves FC

Return to England
Southern League Cup winner 2019

Trial with unamed League Two club

Yeovil Town
On 6 July 2019, Skendi signed for National League side Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee.


 * Yeovil debut against Barnet - 3 August 2019

Not returning to training July 2021.

Orange County SC

 * Orange County debut - 84th minute substitute in Colorado Springs defeat on 12th March

Honours
Oxford City
 * Southern Football League Premier Division play-offs: 2011–12

Oxford City Nomads
 * Hellenic Football League Premier Division: 2011–12

Stratford Town
 * Southern Football League Cup: 2018–19

Individual
 * Oxford City Youth Team Players' Players of the Year: 2010–11
 * Oxford City Young Player of the Year: 2011–12
 * Banbury United Young Player of the Year: 2012–13
 * National League Player of the Month: January 2021