A talented Arsenal academy youngster has been handed his first-ever senior international call-up less than a year after making his debut for the Gunners.
Lewisham-born defender Maldini Kacurri joined the prestigious Hale End academy in 2022 from London rivals Fulham, and has represented Albania, whom he is eligible for through his parents, since the Under-17s.
Kacurri, named after legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini, made his Arsenal debut in the Gunners’ 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers last September.
Maldini Kacurri
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Following his senior debut earlier last season, Kacurri spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan with League Two outfit Bromley FC, but made just three appearances for the Ravens before returning to Arsenal in the summer.
So far, the 19-year-old has featured three times for Arsenal Under-21s this term and most recently kept a clean sheet against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite being given the chance to receive regular first-team minutes with Bromley last season, though that plan admitedly did not work out, Kacurri has not been loaned out by Arsenal ahead of Deadline Day and instead looks set to remain with the Under-21s until at least January.
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Despite this, Kacurri has clearly caught the eye of Albania boss Sylvinho, who has opted to call the youngster up to his squad for the forthcoming international break.
Albania are poised for a friendly against lowly-ranked Gibraltar before embarking on their fifth FIFA World Cup Qualifier of the current campaign, against Latvia, having lost just one of their last four fixtures, form which leaves them second in Group K, behind only Thomas Tuchel’s England.
Kacurri has previously been called up to Albania’s Under-21s squad, but is yet to make an appearance at that age group, meaning his senior call-up could see his first-ever international cap fast-tracked.
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