Minnesota United announced today that it has acquired winger Bashkim Kadrii on a year-long loan from F.C. Copenhagen, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.
“I spoke with Manny [Lagos] and Adrian [Heath] and I had a really good feeling about coming to Minnesota,” Kadrii said. “The plan and the style of play they each spoke about really helped me understand what the club is trying to do and it made me very comfortable with my decision.”
A Danish national of Albanian descent, Kadrii came up in the youth system of B.93 in Copenhagen, for whom he made his professional debut in 2008. He grew into a formidable scorer for the club, netting 18 goals in 30 appearances.
“Bashkim is another really good attacking piece we have added to the club. He’s fit and healthy and ready for a new challenge,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He can play any of the forward positions, left, right and through the middle. He’s got an eye for goal and good pace and we are really excited to have him.”
Targeted by several European clubs, Kadrii opted to join Odense Boldklub of the Danish Superleague in 2010. At 19 he made his international debut in a Europa League qualifying match against Getafe CF and became a standout player for OB with 18 goals in league play and one in a Champions League qualification win over Panathinaikos.
After four years with OB, he joined Danish titans FC Copenhagen. He notched a pair of goals his debut year before a knee injury cut his first season short. His comeback the following year saw him largely utilized as an energizer off the bench late in games.
The 25-year-old has represented his country from the U18 to U21 level, and made his senior debut in an international friendly against Scotland.
The addition of Kadrii bolsters a Minnesota United attack that already features Miguel Ibarra, Christian Ramirez, Johan Venegas, Abu Danladi and the recently acquired Kevin Molino. He will be the fifth Scandinavian player to join the team.
Minnesota United makes its home MLS debut on March 12 at TCF Bank Stadium against fellow expansion side Atlanta United. Fans who want to be there for every home match can join the Itasca Society. Over 10,000 season tickets have already been sold, rapidly approaching the inaugural season limit of 11,842 members in this exclusive club — one for every lake in Minnesota. A portion of all proceeds from these season tickets are donated to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Loon Monitoring program. Season tickets are available now at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER. Single match tickets will be available Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 a.m.
TRANSACTION: Minnesota United has acquired Danish forward Bashkim Kadrii on loan from F.C. Copenhagen. Kadrii will be added to Minnesota’s roster upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC.
VITALS
Bashkim Kadrii
Position: Forward
Born: 7/9/1991
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175
Last Club: FC Copenhagen
Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Citizenship: Denmark
Twitter: bashkimkadrii9
