Swansea City’s Bersant Celina was born in Kosovo, but moved to Norway at the age of two. He started his youth career with Strømsgodset before moving to Manchester City in 2012.
The 22-year-old represented Norway at youth level, but after FIFA approved Kosovo to represent at the international stage, the attacking midfielder decided to play for the latter.
Norway’s TV2 had an opportunity to sit down with the Championship side’s player ahead of Kosovo’s Euro 2020 qualifier against England.
The Welsh club are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions, while Kosovo have not lost a tie since November 2017. Celina wants to take the confidence of his form with club and country to face the Three Lions.
“We haven’t met an opponent like England. This will be the biggest challenge so far. And it gets extra special for me,” he said.
“I want to show myself, and of course take the confidence from the results with both Kosovo and Swansea. I need it against England. It is going very well, but I continue to work hard and know that I can get better.”
Celina managed five goals and six assists last term and has started this season on a brighter note with two goals in six league appearances. The former City man’s dream is to play in the Premier League.
“The goal is to play in the Premier League. Preferably for Swansea.
“Most people have an overview of what I stand for, but it’s certainly a match [Kosovo’s clash against England] I can show off in.”
Swansea are leading the table with 16 points after six games and will be hopeful they can continue their current form.
Meanwhile, Martin Olsson didn’t feature for Swansea City in 2019 and they released him at the end of last season. He is yet to find a new club, but insists there’s interest.
“There is a club that wants me to sign for them,” he told Sportbladet.
