Fotaq “Foto” Strakosha (Albanian pronunciation: [fɔˈtac stɾaˈkɔʃa]; born 29 March 1965) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is currently a goalkeeping coach with Lazio Youth. He is widely regarded as one of Albania’s most prominent goalkeepers.
Early life
Strakosha was born in Memaliaj, then part of the People’s Republic of Albania. He spent his childhood in the nearby town of Tepelenë, an area known for its coal mines, where he briefly worked before focusing on football. He joined the youth ranks of local club Minatori in 1982 and progressed to the senior team in 1985.
Club career
- Minatori Tepelenë (1985–1988) – Made his senior debut and quickly became the first‑choice goalkeeper.
- Dinamo Tirana (1988–1990) – Appeared in 38 league matches, winning the Albanian Cup (1988–89, 1989–90), the Albanian Supercup (1989) and the Albanian Superliga (1989–90). He also featured in European competitions, including the Cup Winners’ Cup and the European Cup.
- PAS Giannina (1991) – After leaving Albania following the collapse of the communist regime, Strakosha moved to Greece, signing with PAS Giannina and making three league appearances.
- Ethnikos Piraeus (1991–1993) – 33 league appearances.
- Olympiacos (1993–1997) – 39 league appearances; part of the squad that won the Greek Super League in 1996–97.
- Panionios (1997–1999, 2004–2005) – 61 league appearances across two spells; won the Greek Cup in his first season (1997–98).
- Ionikos (1999–2002) – 75 league appearances.
- Kallithea (2002–2003) – 14 league appearances.
- Kalamata (2003) – 18 league appearances.
- Ethnikos Asteras (2003–2004) – 13 league appearances.
- Proodeftiki (2004) – 13 league appearances.
Across his 20‑year playing career, Strakosha accumulated 307 league caps, never scoring a goal.
International career
Strakosha earned 73 caps for the Albania national team between 1990 and 2005, serving as captain for several years. At the time of his retirement, he held the record for the most appearances for Albania.
Coaching career
Following retirement, Strakosha transitioned to coaching, primarily as a goalkeeping coach. His appointments have included:
- Akraatitos (2005–2006)
- Olympiacos Academy (2006–2007)
- APOEL (2007–2010)
- Panionios (2010–2011)
- Albania U19 (2011–2014)
- Olympiacos (2014–2017)
- Lazio Youth (2017–present)
Personal life
Strakosha’s son, Thomas Strakosha, is also a professional goalkeeper who has represented Albania at senior level.
Legacy
Strakosha is celebrated for his longevity, consistency, and contributions to both Albanian and Greek football, as well as for pioneering the migration of Albanian players to foreign leagues during the early 1990s.