Donis Avdijaj, once a bright prospect for Schalke with an impressive number of goals in the youth teams, admitted he made his “biggest mistake” by turning down Liverpool.
After improving his reputation at Schalke, attracting the attention of top clubs including Premier League giants and even Real Madrid, Avdijaj decided to remain loyal to Gelsenkirchen.
His time at Schalke did not turn out as he expected and, reflecting on his past choices, he revealed it to Sport1 in 2020: “My biggest mistake, which I bitterly regret, was rejecting another mega offer from Liverpool before signing the long contract.” Schalke, which was a very important issue for me, I also had one from Real Madrid.”
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Despite a promising start, scoring 76 goals in 77 appearances for Schalke’s U17 and U19 teams, Avdijaj made just 12 top-flight appearances in seven years before moving to Willem II. He then became something of a nomad in the world of football, with stints in several countries, but never found a permanent place to call home.
The adaptable striker, now 27, is making waves at Hartberg in Austria’s top division. Avdijaj has closed the season with an impressive 12 goals and six assists in 25 games under the management of Markus Schopp, who previously managed him during a loan spell in the Sturm Graz reserves ten years ago.
Brendan Rodgers was in charge of Liverpool when Avdijaj was first rumored to be joining, a period often remembered for its somewhat erratic transfer dealings. The Reds subsequently established a more stable approach to signings under the now-departed Jurgen Klopp, and will be keen to continue that trend under new boss Arne Slot.
Avdijaj, however, expressed optimism about achieving a successful career at the top of football.
“I know that it depends on me what my sporting future will be like,” he declared. “It doesn’t matter if I’ve played for one club for five years or for ten clubs in five years. In the end, for me only one thing counts: being able to play football and show what I can do.”
