Meriton Korenica (born 15 December 1996) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Liga I club FCSB and the Kosovo national team.
Club career Early career Korenica began his youth career at Rahoveci. In 2015, he joined the youth setup of Shkëndija, one of Macedonia's top clubs, and progressed quickly to the senior team. He made his professional debut during the 2015–16 season, appearing once for Shkëndija's first team. In 2016, he was sent on loan to Metalurg Skopje to gain more first-team experience, making eight appearances during his spell.
Later that year, he returned to Kosovo and signed with Liria Prizren, where he played until 2018, making 23 appearances and scoring his first two professional goals. His time at Liria marked an important stage in his development, helping him establish himself as a reliable senior-level player.
Ballkani In 2020, Korenica joined FC Ballkani. During his time at the club, Ballkani won the Kosovo Superleague three consecutive times (2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24), as well as the Kosovar Cup (2023–24) and Kosovar Supercup (2022). Korenica was a regular starter and contributed with both goals and assists.
Manisa On 3 September 2023, Korenica signed a two-year contract with TFF First League club Manisa with an option for a further year, and received squad number 77. Manisa reportedly paid a €200,000 transfer fee. His debut with Manisa came fourteen days later against Giresunspor after coming on as a substitute at 57th minute in place of Kerim Frei.
Return to Ballkani as loan On 29 January 2024, Korenica returned to Kosovo Superleague side Ballkani, on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.
CFR Cluj On 9 July 2024, Korenica transferred to CFR Cluj in Romania's Liga I. In the 2024–25 season, he made 39 league appearances, scored 9 goals, and provided 6 assists. He helped the club win the Cupa României and was awarded CFR Cluj's Player of the Month twice. He was later named to the Liga I Team of the Season.
International career Korenica represented Kosovo U21 at 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications and played in four matches as a substitute. On 22 January 2018, he received a call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Azerbaijan. The match however was cancelled two days later, which prolonged his debut.
On 31 August 2023, Korenica received again a call-up from Kosovo for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Switzerland and Romania. His debut with Kosovo came nine days later in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Switzerland after coming on as a substitute in the 81st minute in place of Milot Rashica, and assists in his side's second goal during a 2–2 home draw.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsShkëndija2015–161. MFL10———10Metalurg Skopje (loan)2015–161. MFL80———80Liria Prizren2016–17Superleague of Kosovo5100——512017–1818100——181Total23200——232Prishtina2018–19Superleague of Kosovo261111410031132019–202594320—3112Total51205461006225Ballkani2020–21Superleague of Kosovo30320——3232021–2231310——3232022–23338101461049142023–2410—83—103Total9514402291012223Manisa2023–24TFF 1. Lig10011——111Ballkani (loan)2023–24Superleague of Kosovo18131——212CFR Cluj2024–25Liga I3995162—50122025–2639942710050122026–27501142—103Total83181041750011027FCSB2026–27Liga I3100——31Career total29256231045151036181
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsKosovo202350202400202510202610Total70
Honours Prishtina Kosovar Cup: 2019–20 Kosovar Supercup runner-up: 2018
Ballkani Superleague of Kosovo: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 Kosovar Cup: 2023–24 Kosovar Supercup: 2022
CFR Cluj Cupa României: 2024–25 Supercupa României runner-up: 2025
Individual Superleague of Kosovo "Star of the Week" Award: 2022–23 Liga I Team of the Season: 2024–25, 2025–26 CFR Cluj – Player of the Month: Awarded twice during the 2024–25 season
References
External links