 Haliti withWestern Sydney Wanderers in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Labinot Haliti[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (age 39) | ||
| Place of birth | Pristina,SFR Yugoslavia | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Second striker,winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sydney Olympic (head coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| KF 2 Korriku | |||
| Sydney Olympic | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2003 | Sydney Olympic | 2 | (0) |
| 2003–2005 | Sydney United | 22 | (7) |
| 2005–2007 | Newcastle Jets | 27 | (3) |
| 2007 | Slaven Belupo | 0 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Teuta | 4 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | ŁKS Łódź | 22 | (0) |
| 2009–2012 | Newcastle Jets | 63 | (12) |
| 2012–2015 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 60 | (7) |
| 2015–2017 | Newcastle Jets | 8 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2006 | Australia U23 | 6 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2017–2018 | Newcastle Jets Youth (assistant) | ||
| 2018–2019 | Newcastle Jets Youth | ||
| 2019–2022 | Western Sydney Wanderers (assistant) | ||
| 2023– | Sydney Olympic | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Labinot Haliti (born 26 October 1985) is a former professionalsoccer player who played as asecond striker orwinger. Born in Yugoslavia, he represented Australia at youth level.
Haliti's was born inPristina,[2] and fled his home country at the age of 14 with his family, arriving in Australia in 1999, where they settled inSydney.[3]
Since arriving in Sydney, Haliti stamped himself as a potential superstar of the game with impressive stints at Sydney Olympic and Sydney United in the defunct NSL. Haliti's talent was spotted by the legendaryFrank Arok, a former Yugoslav player and coach.[2] It was at Sydney Olympic where Haliti played alongside formerSocceroos striker and close friendAnte Milicic, who proved influential in bringing the attacking midfielder to theNewcastle Jets in the newly formedA-League.[3]
Haliti's impressive first season with the Jets led to much speculation about his international future, with theAlbania national team andAustralia U23 national team courting his services. A change in manager in his second season at Newcastle saw his opportunities decrease, and Haliti returned toSydney United in theNSW Premier League. In June 2007, he signed for CroatianPrva HNL teamNK Slaven Belupo, however, he failed to make an appearance for the club after signing forKS Teuta Durrës in the Albanian first division a month later. After a string of appearances and 3 goals, he signed for PolishOrange Ekstraklasa teamŁódzki KS, where he established himself as a first team squad member.
On 26 August 2009, he was signed to a short-term deal for theNewcastle Jets as an injury replacement forMarko Jesic.[4] On 2 October 2009, Haliti extended his contract with the Jets to a two-year deal. On 3 September 2009, Haliti was included in the squad againstMelbourne Victory after a late clearance from his Polish sideŁKS Łódź and thePolish Football Association. He scored with a header in the 87th minute to secure a 1–1 draw for the Jets.[5] During the2011–12 A-League season, Labinot continued to be an integral part of the Newcastle Jets team and was a fans favourite.[citation needed]
On 2 July 2012, Haliti joined A-League expansion clubWestern Sydney Wanderers FC on a free transfer.[6]
Haliti played his first game for the new club on 6 October 2012 and it was Western Sydney Wanderers's first competitive match of any kind against reigning A-League PremiersCentral Coast Mariners in the first round of the league. On 2 February, Haliti scored a historic goal against Central Coast Mariners in a top of the table clash in front of a packed house atCentral Coast Stadium. Wanderers went on to claim thePremiership Plate.[7]
During theAFC Champions League campaign, Haliti was a key member of the squad playing all 14 games to the Final and ultimately winning the2014 AFC Champions League trophy againstAl-Hilal of Saudi Arabia. They became the first Australian team to be crowned Asian Champions, an achievement they reached in only their first attempt in the Asian tournament. Haliti is also the first Albanian to ever win the ACL.[8]
In the2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, Haliti captained his side Wanderers for the first time againstES Sétif.
On 22 July 2015, Haliti signed a two-year deal with Newcastle Jets, back to the club where he started his A-League career.[9] On 21 October 2015 It was confirmed that Haliti would miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL injury in the defeat toSydney FC.[10]
Haliti holdsAlbanian andAustralian passports, making him eligible to represent Albania and Australia.
While still recovering Haliti announced that he had begun studying for his coaching badges.[11] Haliti retired at the end of the2017–18 A-League season,[12] having already taken up a position as Assistant Coach of theNewcastle Jets FC Reserves, serving under Jets CEO and head youth coachLawrie McKinna.[13]
On 8 May 2019, it was announced that Haliti signed with theWestern Sydney Wanderers as an assistant coach ahead of the2019–20 A-League season.[14]
In 2022, Haliti was appointed head coach ofSydney Olympic FC for NPL NSW 2023 season.[15]