International recognition caps great week for young midfielder
There was double end of season joy for Egli Kaja after he received an international call-up just days after featuring for the first-team against Oldham.
The 19-year-old midfielder, (pictured above left with Alfie Egan) has been invited to an Albania Under-21 training camp at Durres between 14-18 May.
Dons academy product Egli, who moved to England with his family at the age of three, is very proud to be recognised by his country and he attended the Euro 2016 Finals to cheer on Albania last year.
“My parents decided to leave Albania to give me a better life, but I have never forgotten my roots,” said Egli. “It is massive for me to get a call-up and it would mean so much to represent Albania. I only found out on Wednesday and it was quite random. I had spoken to the Under-21s head coach Alban Bushi a couple of months ago, but then it went a bit quiet.
“It was unexpected to get the call-up, but I am excited and I cannot wait to go really. It has been a great week or so for me. I felt I had a good game for the Under-21s last Thursday and then on Saturday I was given positive news about my future at the club. I had been waiting all season to make a first-team appearance and it was great to come on against Oldham. To be called-up for the Albania Under-21s was the icing on the cake.”
Egli was born in Prelez, Kosovo, but people from that country are eligible to play for Albania and his parents and grandparents were born in Albania.
All at AFC Wimbledon wish Egli every success in his pursuit of international honours.