Myrto Uzuni Bio
Myrto Artan Uzuni, born on 31 May 1995, is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward or left winger for Major League Soccer club Austin FC and the Albania national team. Standing 1.78 meters tall and wearing the number 10 shirt, Uzuni has built a reputation as a goal-scoring wide attacker across Albanian, Croatian, Hungarian, and Spanish football. He is widely regarded as one of the most productive Albanian players of his generation, known for his finishing ability, work rate, and consistency in front of goal.
After beginning his career in the lower divisions of Albanian football, Uzuni moved abroad in 2018 and has since played in the Croatian top flight, the Hungarian top flight, and La Liga and the Segunda División in Spain. In January 2025, he completed a high-profile transfer to Austin FC in Major League Soccer, becoming one of the club’s marquee signings.
Early Life and Background
Uzuni was born in Berat, Albania, in 1995, into an Albanian family. At the age of 10, he relocated with his parents and two brothers to Zakynthos, Greece, where the family settled and his parents ran a restaurant. Growing up between Albania and Greece, Uzuni balanced his schooling with daily life in the family business, often helping out at the restaurant after practice.
It was in Zakynthos that Uzuni first developed his love for the game. He joined the youth setup of the Zakynthos Club Association Doxa Pigadakia, where he spent seven years refining his technique and understanding of attacking play. The island’s football scene gave him regular competition and helped shape his preference for playing on the left side of the attack.
After seven formative years in Greece, Uzuni returned to his hometown of Berat in 2012. The move back to Albania marked the beginning of his structured development as a senior-level footballer, and he quickly linked up with his local club to continue his progress.
Path to Soccer
Upon returning to Berat, Uzuni joined hometown club Tomori, where he was initially placed in the under-17 team. During the 2012-13 season, he finished as the top scorer in the under-17 First Division with 14 goals, immediately announcing himself as one of the most exciting young players in the region. The following campaign, he continued scoring freely, netting four times in his first four matches before being promoted to the under-19 side.
With the under-19s, Uzuni represented Tomori at an international youth tournament held in Spain in September 2013. His seven goals helped Tomori win the competition and earned him a promotion to the senior squad under head coach Madrid Muxhaj. That step up set the stage for his professional debut later that same year.
His progress through the youth ranks, combined with consistent scoring at every level, established Uzuni as a player of significant potential. By the time he made his first senior appearance, he had already developed a reputation for goalscoring, an identity that has followed him throughout his career.
Myrto Uzuni Career
Early Career (2013-2015)
Uzuni made his professional debut for Tomori in an Albanian Cup match against Pogradeci on 24 October 2013, coming on as a substitute. He marked his first senior start with a goal in the second minute, later adding a 71st-minute winner in a 3-2 victory that helped his team advance in the cup. His league debut followed on 14 December 2013 against Veleçiku, and he finished his first professional season with three goals in 15 total appearances.
The following campaign, Uzuni cemented his place in the first team under a new manager, scoring twice in 11 days before the winter break. His performances throughout 2014 earned him the Tomori Player of the Year award, recognition that alerted clubs in the Albanian top flight. In January 2015, he completed a move to Kategoria Superiore side Apolonia on a four-year contract.
Tomori Breakthrough (2013-2015)
At Tomori, Uzuni quickly transitioned from a promising youth prospect into a first-team contributor. Operating primarily as a forward, he provided both goals and creativity, helping Tomori to a fourth-place league finish in his debut season. His cup performances, including two goals in four Albanian Cup matches, showed his ability to deliver in knockout football.
By the second half of the 2014-15 season, Uzuni was a regular starter, and his output had grown to the point that he attracted attention from top-flight clubs. His development at Tomori laid the foundation for the rest of his career, providing the platform on which his later moves abroad were built.
Apolonia Era (2015-2017)
At Apolonia, Uzuni stepped up to the Albanian top flight under coach Artan Mërgjyshi, making his Kategoria Superiore debut on 24 January 2015 against Tirana. He became a regular starter, often playing the full 90 minutes as part of an attacking line featuring Realdo Fili, Andi Ribaj, and Marko Rajković. His first goal for the club came on 28 February in a 2-2 home draw against Kukësi.
Despite forming effective partnerships with his fellow forwards, Apolonia struggled for consistency. The team suffered a run of five straight goalless losses early in the second half of the season and ultimately finished in the penultimate position, four points behind Teuta, resulting in relegation. Even in a difficult team environment, Uzuni gained valuable top-flight experience.
Laçi Breakthrough (2017-2018)
On 17 August 2017, Uzuni joined Laçi for a transfer fee of €20,000, amid interest from several other Albanian top-flight clubs. He marked his competitive debut on 10 September 2017 with a 2-0 upset victory over Partizani, and scored his first goal for the club on 21 October in a 3-0 win over Lushnja. His form was instrumental in lifting Laçi to third place in the championship.
The 2017-18 season proved to be a breakthrough year. Uzuni scored his first top-flight brace in a 3-1 win at Lushnja, and he finished the campaign with 10 goals, including a brace in the 4-2 home win over Teuta on the final matchday. Laçi finished fourth, securing a return to the UEFA Europa League after a three-year absence.
In the 2018-19 Europa League qualifying campaign, Uzuni featured against Anorthosis Famagusta, scoring a crucial 89th-minute header in the second leg that sent Laçi through on away goals. His final match for the club came on 31 August 2018 in a 1-1 draw against Skënderbeu, a fitting end to a prolific spell that had put him on the radar of clubs across Europe.
NK Lokomotiva Era (2018-2020)
On 3 September 2018, Uzuni made his first move abroad, signing a four-year contract with Croatian side NK Lokomotiva in a deal reported at €350,000. Wearing squad number 21, he made his competitive debut on 16 September in a 5-2 win over Slaven Belupo, providing an assist. His first goal for the club came in his third league appearance, sealing a 3-0 win at Gorica.
Over two seasons in Zagreb, Uzuni adapted to a new league and country, sharpening his game against varied opposition. His time at Lokomotiva helped him develop the consistency needed to make the step up to one of the region’s bigger clubs.
Ferencváros Era (2020-2022)
On 7 August 2020, Uzuni joined Hungarian champions Ferencváros on a four-year contract for a reported fee of $1.98 million. He made an immediate impact in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Dinamo Zagreb, scoring an own goal in the first half before netting a 65th-minute winner to send his side through to the play-offs. He was part of the Ferencváros squad that qualified for the 2020-21 Champions League group stage by eliminating Molde.
On 24 November 2020, Uzuni scored his first Champions League goal in a 2-1 defeat against Juventus, the first goal the Italian side had ever conceded to a Hungarian opponent in European competition. He celebrated by imitating Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration, a tribute to his childhood idol, and later exchanged shirts with the Portuguese star. On 20 April 2021, he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Újpest that clinched the 2020-21 Nemzeti Bajnokság I title for Ferencváros.
Granada Era (2022-2025)
On 31 January 2022, Uzuni moved to Spanish La Liga side Granada on a three-and-a-half-year contract. His La Liga debut came on 6 February against Real Madrid, and he opened his league account on 7 May 2022 in a 2-6 win at Mallorca. Three days later, he assisted the winner against Athletic Bilbao in a vital relegation battle, though Granada ultimately finished 18th and were relegated.
The 2022-23 Segunda División season was the most prolific of Uzuni’s career. He scored his first hat-trick in Spain against Villarreal B, recorded braces against Deportivo Alavés, Burgos, Cartagena, Andorra, and Tenerife, and finished the campaign with 23 goals and 5 assists, playing a central role in Granada’s promotion back to La Liga. On 23 October 2022, he signed a contract extension until 2026.
In 2023-24, Uzuni became Granada’s top scorer in La Liga with 11 goals, though the club was again relegated at the end of the season. Across his three years in Andalusia, he established himself as one of the most dangerous attackers in Spanish football’s second tier and a reliable contributor in the top flight.
Austin FC Era (2025-Present)
On 24 January 2025, Uzuni signed with Major League Soccer side Austin FC on a three-year deal for a reported transfer fee of $12.3 million, the largest incoming transfer in club history at the time. The move brought him to the United States as one of the league’s most anticipated signings, with expectations built on his consistent goalscoring record in Europe.
Wearing the number 10 shirt, Uzuni joined an Austin FC side looking to build around experienced international talent. His arrival coincided with a new era for the club, and his track record of performing in promotion battles and high-pressure matches was viewed as a key addition to the squad.
Driving Style and Strengths
Uzuni is best known for his finishing inside the penalty area, his ability to stretch defenses from wide positions, and his willingness to make runs in behind the back line. Operating primarily from the left, he combines direct dribbling with intelligent movement into central scoring zones, and he has shown he can also lead the line as a center forward when required.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Uzuni’s career include scoring the first goal Juventus ever conceded to a Hungarian side in European competition in November 2020, helping Ferencváros win the 2020-21 Hungarian league title, scoring 23 goals in a single season to lead Granada to promotion in 2022-23, and becoming Austin FC’s record signing in January 2025.
Myrto Uzuni Career Wins
Across his time at Tomori, Apolonia, Laçi, NK Lokomotiva, Ferencváros, Granada, and Austin FC, Uzuni has accumulated goals, titles, and individual recognition at every stop. He has been a top scorer at youth and senior level, a key figure in promotion campaigns, and a league champion in Hungary.
Albanian Football Highlights
At Tomori, Uzuni was the top scorer in the Albanian under-17 First Division in 2012-13 with 14 goals and won the Tomori Player of the Year award in 2014. At Laçi, he netted 10 goals in the 2017-18 Kategoria Superiore season and helped the club return to the UEFA Europa League. He also scored on his European debut for the club in 2018.
European and Spanish Performances
At Ferencváros, Uzuni scored in the UEFA Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb and Juventus and won the 2020-21 Nemzeti Bajnokság I title. At Granada, he scored 23 league goals in the 2022-23 Segunda División season to drive the club back to La Liga, before adding 11 La Liga goals the following season. At Austin FC, he arrived as the club’s record signing in 2025.
Myrto Uzuni Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Uzuni was raised in an Albanian family in Berat before moving with his parents and two brothers to Zakynthos, Greece, at the age of 10. His parents ran a restaurant on the island, where he helped out alongside his football training. The family returned to Berat in 2012, providing the support network that allowed him to launch his professional career.
Personal Life
Uzuni has cited Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo as his main football inspiration, and in November 2020 he marked a goal against Juventus with an imitation of Ronaldo’s famous celebration before exchanging shirts with the Portuguese star. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Uzuni’s 2025 began with a high-profile move to Austin FC in January, marking his transition to Major League Soccer after three productive seasons in Spain. Joining the club as its record signing, he was immediately integrated as a key attacking option, wearing the number 10 shirt and expected to lead the line in the new campaign.
At international level, Uzuni continued to be a central figure for Albania during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in Group K, making seven appearances and scoring once in a 3-0 home win over Andorra. Albania secured a place in the qualification play-offs with a match to spare, reflecting the team’s strong form across the campaign.
On 26 March 2025, Uzuni started the play-off match against Poland and played the full 90 minutes, though Albania were eliminated following a 2-1 defeat. With his Austin FC career just getting underway and another major international tournament cycle behind him, Uzuni entered the remainder of the 2025 MLS season as one of the league’s most closely watched new arrivals.
