Adrion Pajaziti: The Story So Far

Stylish midfielder Adrion Pajaziti caught up with fulhamfc.com to chat about growing up, a memorable First Team debut, international experiences and much more.

Do you remember when you first started to show an interest in football?

Where I grew up in Camden, there was a park and a cage just outside my estate. I used to play there pretty much every day. The moment I finished school, I’d drop my bag off at home before going and playing there for hours on end. I just fell in love with it all to be honest.

What were the first few steps you took to take your passion to the next level?

I first was just playing with my friends in my spare time. Then, my PE teachers at school started asking my parents to consider signing me up to a team. I played for a few clubs around my area and then the local council opened up this ‘Arsenal Kicks’ event, which coincidentally took place in the cage I played at.

After impressing there, I joined this Arsenal Community team and also started playing for my borough Camden. I eventually got scouted by a handful of teams and went on trial at multiple places.

I actually very nearly joined Norwich City, but Fulham brought me in on trial and I quickly signed around the age of 10-11.

You’d only played for local teams until that point, so how special was it for you to join a club like Fulham?

I don’t remember too much, but I recall my family being really happy for me and I was obviously pleased myself. I don’t think I really understood too much about Academy systems and how it all works. I just knew that it was an achievement that I’d signed for a professional team.

For me, even when I first signed at that age, I was still just looking forward to playing with my friends in the cage as we weren’t training every day at that point. The people who grew up alongside me in my neighbourhood were still really important to me.

How have you found your journey through the Academy up to this point - any aspects you’ve found challenging?

One of the challenges was from that first year or two after I joined the Club. I remember being very, very shy and coming to a professional environment was a lot. Once I started getting used to it all, some of the struggles I faced improved.

I was also one of the smallest in the team growing up, too. I was very short and skinny which became a struggle and I often played up an age group, so I got used to using my body in certain scenarios. I learned to try and use physicality the hard way!

I’ve had a growth spurt since then and hit the gym so luckily it’s no longer an issue. From Year 9, I went to Coombe Boys’ School which involved me leaving my school in Camden and starting somewhere new. Usually, boys start in a full-time football programme from Year 11, but I was doing it from much earlier. We were training every day and I was having to make a long journey from Camden to my school near Motspur Park, which I did for three years. That was also a bit of a struggle as I was away from my friends much more.

You like to speak to your family before and after games. How supportive have they been?

They’re really supportive. Before games I always ring my mum or dad, just to let them know that I’ve arrived at whichever venue I’m playing at. Sometimes my girlfriend rings me beforehand to wish me luck as well. They come to pretty much all of the games, especially at home, which is really nice for me.

You became the first Kosovan to play for Fulham when you made your debut against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup. How incredible was that experience for you?

It was very good and I really enjoyed it. To start and play the full 90 minutes as well was a great experience. To win, to play well, to have my family there, everything was just perfect. Even the little clap afterwards to the fans was amazing! It’s the little things like that. To be in the changing room in a First Team environment was also an amazing thing.

How did you hear that you’d be playing, and what was your reaction?

I’d been training with the senior group and I was at home, and I remember this clearly; it was actually Colin [Omogbehin] who called me and all he really said was, ‘you’re in tomorrow.’

He then added, ‘bring your travelling stuff just in case because you might well be playing.’ So at this point, I was thinking I might get on the bench as I’d been solid that week in training. Maybe I could get on for five minutes at the end and make my debut, and trust me I’d have been happy with that.

We came in the next day and were working on our shape and other technical bits like that. Obviously you don’t fully know yet who’s starting but you have a rough idea. The coaches were telling me I was definitely travelling, but still I didn’t expect what eventually happened.

It only really fully occurred to me that I was starting after training, when Luís [Boa Morte] said to me, ‘make sure you get a good night sleep tonight because you’ll probably be starting.’

The next day in the team meeting, Marco put up the starting lineup and I was just like, ‘wow.’

Were there any players in particular you formed relationships with?

Alfie Mawson, who played, helped me a lot beforehand and also during the game. Denis Odoi and Michael Hector were also great, so basically the three defenders behind me were constantly speaking to me because they could see everything that was going on around me. It was really helpful.

I also played alongside Ty [Francois] in the middle and we’d already played together a lot for the Under-23s, so we had that connection already.

You’ve represented Albania internationally in the past, but now it’s all about Kosovo. How proud does it make you feel to represent your country?

It’s a great feeling to take part in some big games for your country. It’s all about trying your best to make everyone proud.

You played against England U21s a few months ago in a European Qualifier. Although you lost the game 2-0, was it good to test yourself against a team made up of strong players?

There were a lot of good players involved and it was a nice pitch at MK Dons. We gave away a penalty early on but had quite a few chances afterwards, so we actually played quite well. I personally produced quite a good performance as well against lots of Premier League players like Oliver Skipp and Conor Gallagher.

I felt quite comfortable out there and, because it was in England, a lot of my friends and family were able to come and support me. It was a pretty surreal experience, but they’re the calibre of opposition I want to be against regularly in the future.

Moving back to club football, it’s been a special season for all our Under-23s hasn’t it?

As a team, we’ve done brilliantly to run away with the league title like we have done. I think we’ve lost two games all season and been pretty dominant, scoring lots of goals.

From an individual perspective I think I’ve done well, especially between the start of the season and the Christmas break. I’ve been slightly inconsistent when it comes to the standards I set for myself since the turn of the year, but overall I’m happy.

Who were your footballing idols growing up?

I’ve got a couple actually. One has to be Messi. I was able to enjoy that dominant Barcelona team growing up and he for me is the best to ever play the game.

The second one is a player I have tried to base my own game off, and that’s Luka Modrić. He was incredible the other day against Chelsea and I could watch that assist on repeat!

What would your number one tip be for any young footballer looking to forge a career?

The most important thing for every player, whether they’re trying to get into an Academy or are already working their way up, is to enjoy your football. That’s number one.

If you’re not yet in an Academy, you’ll get scouted. If you’re already in an Academy, you’ll break through and progress. Be fearless and it will all click into place, trust me. I can even take this advice on board myself sometimes. I’m a confident player but as soon as you start overthinking things and getting nervous, it all goes wrong.