Beşiktaş’s second Albanian player in history: Kristjan Asllani
Beşiktaş have added a new name to both their current squad and their club history. Albanian midfielder Kristjan Asllani, brought in on loan from Italian giants Inter, has officially become the second Albanian player ever to wear the black-and-white shirt and the 195th foreign footballer in club history.
A growing international identity
With Asllani’s arrival, Beşiktaş have now fielded 195 foreign players from 55 different countries throughout their history. The club continues to strengthen its international profile, especially in recent years, by targeting younger players with European experience and resale potential rather than only established stars near the end of their careers.
From Empoli academy to Serie A regular
Born in 2002, Kristjan Asllani was developed in the youth academy of Empoli. He featured at multiple age levels before being promoted to the first team, where his game intelligence and composure on the ball quickly drew attention.
His breakthrough earned him a move to Inter ahead of the 2022–2023 season. At the Milan club, Asllani built valuable experience at the highest level of Italian football. Across all competitions for Inter, he played 99 matches, contributing 4 goals and 5 assists. Those numbers only tell part of the story: he often operated as a deep-lying playmaker, tasked more with dictating tempo, linking defence and attack, and progressing the ball rather than making the final pass or finish.
Loan spell at Torino
This season, Inter loaned Asllani to Torino in search of more regular minutes. In Turin, he appeared in 16 matches, but did not record a goal or an assist. Despite the lack of direct goal contributions, he was often used in a role focused on build-up play, covering passing lanes, and providing stability in midfield.
Beşiktaş, in turn, are betting that a change of environment and more central responsibility can unlock the next step in his development. The Turkish league’s pace and physicality, combined with the expectations at a big club like Beşiktaş, could offer exactly the kind of challenge he needs.
Key figure for the Albania national team
On the international stage, Asllani has been part of the Albania national team setup since 2022. Since then, he has made 38 appearances for his country, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists. These figures are significant for a player who often starts moves from deeper zones rather than finishing them.
Within the Albanian team, he is seen as one of the central pillars of a new generation. His tactical education in Italy, his vision under pressure, and his ability to retain the ball in tight spaces have made him a regular choice in midfield.
Transfer window context and Beşiktaş’s winter strategy
Asllani was the second signing Beşiktaş completed in the winter transfer window. The first was 19-year-old centre-back Yasin Özcan, brought in from Aston Villa. With the window scheduled to close on 6 February, the club’s management continues to work on strengthening weak positions across the squad.
The double move for a young defender and a young central midfielder fits a broader strategy: adding players with both immediate impact and long-term upside. By loaning Asllani rather than buying him outright, Beşiktaş lower the financial risk while potentially positioning themselves for a permanent deal if the partnership proves successful.
Historic note: only the second Albanian at Beşiktaş
From a historical perspective, Asllani’s arrival carries special significance. He is only the second Albanian footballer to play for Beşiktaş. The first was Ernest Muçi, signed from Legia Warsaw in the 2023–2024 season. Muçi made a strong impression with his technique and attacking flair before being loaned to Trabzonspor at the start of this season with a purchase option included in the deal.
With Muçi departing on loan and Asllani arriving, Beşiktaş effectively maintain an Albanian presence in the squad, though in a different role and profile. While Muçi is an attacking midfielder or second striker, Asllani is more of a deep-lying organiser, responsible for distribution and control rather than constant goal threat.
How “Italian” is Asllani as a player?
Although he represents Albania internationally, many observers describe Asllani as almost “Italian” in footballing terms. Moving to Italy at the age of two, he was raised, educated and shaped entirely within the Italian football system. This background is evident in his style: emphasis on positional discipline, smart use of space, and a preference for quick, clean passing combinations over physical duels.
For Beşiktaş, this profile fills a gap in midfield. The club have often lacked a true regista – a playmaker operating in front of the defence who can control rhythm, dictate where the game is played, and involve attacking players in the right zones.
Expectations, doubts and fan debates
As with almost every transfer to a big club, Asllani’s signing has sparked divided opinions among supporters. Some are sceptical, arguing that Beşiktaş should prioritise a proven striker, a reliable goalkeeper, and stronger options on the wings before investing in another midfielder. They question whether a young player who struggled to secure a starting place at Torino can be the one to help carry Beşiktaş back to European competitions and into a title race against domestic rivals.
Others are more optimistic. They highlight that Asllani is a regular for his national team, while some previous imports with higher hype levels struggled to earn that status. Supporters in this camp see him as a smart move: a young, technically strong player who has been trained in a top European league and can raise the collective level in midfield.
Tactical fit at Beşiktaş
From a tactical standpoint, Asllani offers Beşiktaş several options. He can:
– Play as a deep playmaker in a double pivot, providing passing range next to a more defensive-minded partner.
– Operate as the lone holding midfielder in a 4‑3‑3, flanked by more dynamic box-to-box players.
– Drop between the centre-backs during build-up to help bypass high pressing and start attacks from deeper positions.
His presence could also free more creative players ahead of him, giving them the freedom to operate closer to the final third without having to constantly drop back to collect the ball.
What Beşiktaş need for a complete rebuild
Even with Asllani and Yasin Özcan on board, there is a widespread recognition that Beşiktaş still have gaps to fill if they are to consistently compete with Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. The priority list frequently mentioned around the club includes:
– A clinical centre-forward who can convert half-chances into goals.
– A dependable goalkeeper to provide stability at the back.
– Quality options on the left wing to add width, pace and one‑on‑one ability.
In this context, Asllani is not viewed as a magic solution, but as an important piece in a larger puzzle. If Beşiktaş complete the rest of their planned business, his strengths in ball progression and control will become even more valuable.
Potential long-term impact
If Asllani adapts quickly to Turkish football, Beşiktaş could benefit in several ways:
– Immediate improvement in their ability to dominate possession and control matches.
– A more balanced midfield structure, with clearer roles between destroyers, runners and playmakers.
– Increased visibility in the European market, making it easier to attract similar profiles in the future.
Conversely, if he struggles, the loan nature of the transfer protects the club from a long-term financial burden, allowing them to reassess in the summer.
Conclusion: symbolism and opportunity
Kristjan Asllani’s move to Beşiktaş is more than just another winter signing. It marks a small historical milestone as he becomes only the second Albanian to represent the club and the 195th foreign player in their long story.
He brings with him the tactical schooling of Italian football, the responsibility he has assumed with the Albania national team, and the hunger of a 23-year-old still looking to fully establish himself. For Beşiktaş, this is both a calculated risk and a clear opportunity: if they can surround him with the right pieces and give him a stable role, Asllani may become one of the central figures in the next era of the black-and-whites.