Product Code Database
Burim Nue Kukeli (born 16 January 1984) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He is coach of FC Zürich's under-21 team.
A SC Zofingen product, Kukeli started his professional career in the 2004–05 season where he played 24 matches before earning a transfer to Schötz where he played in the next two seasons. In 2008, he joined FC Luzern where he made more than 100 top flight appearances. Between 2012 and 2017, he played more than 80 league matches for Zürich. However, his spell was marred by injuries. In 2017, he joined FC Sion, also in the top flight.
An Albanian international, Kukeli has more than 20 caps to his name after making his debut in 2012. He also was part of UEFA Euro 2016 squad.
Kukeli missed out the entire 2006–07 season of 1. Liga Classic due to a long injury. Schötz were promoted again in the 1. Liga Promotion.
During the 2007–08 season first half Kukeli made it 14 Appearances and scored 2 goals. He played 1 match in the Swiss cup against Mendrisio, which finished in the 3–1 loss, where Kukeli himself played a full 90-minutes match.
He suffered an injury which kept him out of play from the first half of the 2008–09 season. He played first match of the 2008–09 season only in the second half when he came in as a substitute in the 85th minute for Davide Chiumiento in the 2–3 loss against Young Boys on 15 February 2009. The second and last match of that season came on 30 May 2009 when he played as a starter in the 2–1 victory against Neuchâtel Xamax.
On 3 February 2013, during the friendly against AC Bellinzona, Kukeli suffered a major injury after a challenge with Simon Grether, which resulted Kukeli injured with a tibia and fibula fracture in the leg. More than two weeks later, medical staff announced that Kukeli would be sidelined for the next nine months. He returned in training in January of the following year, and played his first match also that month as he appeared in a friendly versus MSV Duisburg which was an indicator for the player that he was not fully fit.
In April 2014, Kukeli undergo surgery again as the club had failed to treat his condition appropriately. On 11 June 2014, manager Urs Meier stated that Kukeli was ready to get back to action along with his teammate Alain Nef, who was also suffering from a long-time injury.
He made his first competitive appearance after 21 months on 20 July 2014 in the first day of 2014–15 Swiss Super League, assisting the lone goal of the match. Later on, in the 4–1 defeat at FC Basel, Kukeli had damaged legs' muscle and remained outside for 3 weeks. He returned on 31 August in the match against St. Gallen, and scored his maiden goal on 5 October in the 3–0 comfortable win over FC Vaduz.
Kukeli was sold to fellow top flight side Sion in July 2017. His last Zürich match on 30 July against FC Thun was also his 100th for the club in all competitions. During his 5-year spell, Kukeli managed to make 82 league appearances, in addition 7 cup appearances, and 11 Europa League appearances. He also scored two times, both in league.
Kukeli made his competitive debut by playing entire match of the opening matchday against Cyprus as Albania begun Group E with a 3–1 home win. He continued to be regular at the lineup, starting in the next three matches but his injury while at Zürich meant that his campaign was over. Albania finished their group in 5th place with 11 points from 10 matches.
He returned to the national team in September 2014 for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers. He put on a strong performance as Albania begun their qualifying campaign with a historical 1–0 win at Aveiro. Kukeli went on to play six further matches as Albania made history by qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016, its first ever appearance at a major men's football tournament.
On 21 May 2016, Kukeli was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad on 31 May.
He made his first European Championship appearance on 11 June in the first Group A match against Switzerland. He also played in the second matchday against hosts of France as Albania's hopes for a spot in the next round were faded. After receiving yellow cards in both matches, Kukeli was suspended for the third one against Romania which was on 1–0. Albania finished the group in the third position with three points and with a goal difference –2, and was ranked last in the third-placed teams, which eventually eliminated them.
On 21 July 2023, he joined the coaching staff of the first squad of GC, assisting head coach Bruno Berner.
On 27 May 2025, he was announced as the new coach of FC Zürich's under-21 squad.
| + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||
| SC Zofingen | 2004–05 | 1. Liga Promotion | 4 |
| Schötz | 2005–06 | 1. Liga Promotion | 4 |
| 2006–07 | 1. Liga Classic | 8 | |
| 2007–08 | 1. Liga Promotion | 2 | |
| FC Luzern | 2007–08 | Swiss Super League | 0 |
| 2008–09 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 6 | ||
| 2010–11 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | 1 | ||
| FC Luzern U21 | 2007–08 | 1. Liga Promotion | 0 |
| 2008–09 | 0 | ||
| Zürich | 2012–13 | Swiss Super League | 0 |
| 2013–14 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Swiss Challenge League | 0 | |
| 2017–18 | Swiss Super League | 0 | |
| FC Sion | 2017–18 | Swiss Super League | 0 |
| + Appearances and goals by national team and year | |
| Albania | 0 |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
|
|
