Juljan Shehu (Albanian pronunciation: [juljan ʃɛhu]; born 6 September 1998)^[2] is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ekstraklasa club Widzew Łódź and the Albania national team.^[3][4][5]

Shehu came through the youth systems of Olimpic, Partizani Tirana, and Internacionale Tirana before moving abroad in 2017 to join Greek third-tier side Paniliakos, where he began his senior career. In 2018, he returned to Albania and signed for Kastrioti, becoming a regular starter in the Kategoria Superiore and contributing consistently during the 2018–19 season, despite the club’s eventual relegation in a tightly contested campaign that was decided by narrow point margins.

He subsequently moved to Laçi, remaining in the Kategoria Superiore. During his three seasons there from 2019 to 2022, Shehu established himself as one of the team’s most consistent and influential midfielders. He made over 90 league appearances, contributing goals and assists while helping the club to consecutive top-four finishes in the Kategoria Superiore, including a runners-up position in 2021–22. At Laçi, he also gained extensive experience in European competitions, featuring in both the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, and played a key role in the team’s domestic cup campaigns, reaching the 2022 Albanian Cup final.

After his successful spell in Albania, Shehu moved abroad in June 2022, joining Polish Ekstraklasa side Widzew Łódź, where he gradually became an integral part of the team’s midfield. Over his first three seasons in Poland, he amassed more than 70 appearances in all competitions, noted for his work rate, ball-winning ability, and leadership. His performances earned him a contract extension until 2028 and a call-up to the Albania national team in March 2025, where he made his senior debut during the World Cup qualifiers under coach Sylvinho.

Shehu was born in Tirane, Albania.^[2]

Shehu began his football career with Olimpic in 2011, before joining Partizani Tirana in 2013. He later moved to Internacionale Tirana.^[4] In 2017, Shehu moved abroad to Greek side Paniliakos in the third tier, where he made 21 appearances in the 2017–18 Gamma Ethniki season.^[3][2]

In August 2018, Shehu signed with Kastrioti.^[3][4]

He made his Kategoria Superiore debut on 18 August 2018 in the opening match of the 2018–19 season against Luftëtari Gjirokastër, playing 61 minutes in a 1–0 away win.^[6][7]

He scored his first goal for the club on matchday 7 on 3 October against Tirana, although Kastrioti lost the home game 3–2.^[8]

Shehu was a regular starter throughout the season, missing only a few matches,^[3] while Kastrioti struggled during the first phase of the championship, collecting only three wins and one draw in 18 matches by the end of the year; however in the second half, Kastrioti significantly improved their performances, with Shehu adding three more league goals and contributing consistently to the team's positive results, accepting only 4 losses in 18 matches, but despite collecting in total 42 points, Kastrioti finished second from bottom in a tightly contested table and were relegated to the Kategoria e Parë.^[9]

Shehu also featured in the Albanian Cup second round first leg on 22 January 2019 against Partizani, scoring a goal in a 2–4 home defeat.^[10]

Overall, he collected 32 appearances and 5 goals.^[3][4][11]

In July 2019, Shehu joined fellow Kategoria Superiore side Laçi.^[4]

He immediately made his debut in European competitions, appearing in both legs of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round against Hapoel Be'er Sheva on 11 and 18 July 2019. He played the full 90 minutes in both matches, which ended in a 1–1 draw and a 1–0 loss respectively, and was cautioned in each leg.^[12]

Shehu scored his first goal for the club on 8 December 2019, opening the second half in a 3–0 home win over Flamurtari.^[13] He added another goal on 15 June 2020, converting a penalty against Skënderbeu to secure a 1–1 draw on matchday 29, helping Laçi remain in contention for a European qualification spot.^[14] Following that, Laçi went on an impressive run, winning six of their final seven league matches to secure a third place in the championship, which qualified the club for European league next season.^[15]

Shehu himself completed the season having started 33 league matches, playing a key role in Laçi’s strong finish and qualification for European competition, while also receiving ten yellow cards during the process.^[11][2][3]

In the following season, Shehu featured in Laçi’s UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round match on 17 September 2020, again facing Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He started the game and played the first half, as Laçi were eliminated after conceding two late goals to lose 2–1. The single-leg tie was played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions.^[16]

In the domestic league, Shehu was a regular starter throughout the season, making 32 appearances, almost all as a full 90-minute player. He scored three goals and provided three assists, contributing crucial points for the team as Laçi finished fourth in the table to secure qualification for the newly established UEFA Conference League.^[3][2][4]

In the Albanian Cup quarter-finals on 17 March 2021 against Partizani, Shehu played the full 120 minutes in a goalless draw. The match was contentious, with claims of two denied penalties for Partizani, and ultimately went to a penalty shoot-out in which Shehu converted his attempt, helping Laçi win 4–3.^[17] In the semi-finals, Laçi faced Vllaznia and were narrowly defeated 1–0, with Shehu playing the full 90 minutes.^[3]

In the 2021–22 season, Shehu began in July by featuring as a starter in both legs of the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round against Montenegrin side Podgorica, as Laçi advanced after extra time.^[18] In the second qualifying round, he played two full matches against Romanian club Universitatea Craiova, helping his team progress 1–0 on aggregate.^[19][11] Shehu was booked three times during these qualifying fixtures and missed the first leg of the third round against Anderlecht, where Laçi lost 3–0. He returned for the second leg, playing the full 90 minutes, although Laçi were again defeated and eliminated from the competition.^[20][3]

Domestically, Shehu remained a regular starter throughout the league season, appearing in 33 matches and scoring four goals. He contributed consistently in midfield as Laçi achieved one of their best league finishes, ending the season in second place behind Tirana and securing qualification for Europe once again.^{[21][3][4][2]}

Meanwhile, in the Albanian Cup, Shehu appeared in seven matches and scored one goal, playing an important role in the team’s run to the final, where Laçi lost 2–1 after extra time to Vllaznia Shkodër.^{[11][22][3][4]}

On 10 June 2022, Shehu signed a two-year deal with Polish Ekstraklasa club Widzew Łódź.^[23]

He made his debut in Poland’s top flight on 17 July 2022, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute in a 2–1 away defeat against Pogoń Szczecin in the opening round of the 2022–23 season.^[24] He quickly adapted to the pace and physicality of Polish football, gradually establishing himself as part of Widzew’s midfield rotation.^[25] Shehu began the season as a rotational option, featuring regularly in the opening rounds before missing several weeks through injury.^[3] Upon returning, he was used mainly as a late substitute for a period. Ten rounds before the end of the season, Widzew ranked fifth in the table within the European qualification zone.^[22] As Shehu gradually regained a place in the starting lineup, he started most of Widzew’s final ten league matches, but the team struggled for results, collecting only four points and finishing twelfth—twelve points off the European places in a tightly contested league.^[3] Polish media later highlighted his growing importance within the team, describing him as a key figure in midfield and one of Widzew’s most reliable performers.^[26][27]

Over the whole campaign, he had played 24 matches.^[2][22][11]

In the following 2023–24 season, Shehu began strongly, registering a decisive assist on 23 July 2023 in stoppage time (90+3') to secure a 3–2 victory against Puszcza Niepołomice.^[28] He later added another assist and received four consecutive yellow cards during a stretch of matches in which the team achieved relatively positive results.^[3][22] In mid-November 2023, Shehu suffered a cruciate ligament tear that sidelined him until the penultimate week of the season. He returned to the matchday squad for the final fixture, remaining on the bench throughout.^[3] He also made two appearances in the Polish Cup, finishing the season with a total of 11 appearances across all competitions, as Widzew ended the league campaign mid-table.^[11][2][3]

In the 2024–25 season, Shehu started the campaign as a substitute, featuring mainly for limited minutes during the opening months. From September onward, however, he established himself once again as a regular starter in midfield, completing numerous full 90-minute appearances and becoming an integral part of Widzew’s setup.^[11]

Over the course of the season, he continued to show consistency and leadership in midfield, contributing both defensively and in build-up play. On 28 February 2025, he scored his first Ekstraklasa goal in a 1–1 draw against Radomiak Radom.^[29] Around a month later, he found the net in three consecutive league matches, contributing to two victories that helped Widzew strengthen their league position.^[3][11] Shehu remained a regular starter and one of the team’s most used players, recording 31 league appearances and scoring four goals. Known for his combative midfield play, he also was booked 11 times during the campaign as Widzew finished 13th in the table.^[2][3][11]

In October 2025, after having made 78 appearances and scoring 8 goals for the club, Shehu signed a new long-term contract with Widzew, extending his stay until June 2028 with an option for one additional year.^[30]

Shehu represented the Albania U21 during 2019, making five appearances in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers and featuring in three friendly matches that year.^[22]

In March 2025, following his strong performances with Widzew Łódź, he received his first senior call-up from coach Sylvinho for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against England and Andorra.^[31]

He made his senior debut on 24 March 2025 in a 3–0 home victory against Andorra, starting as a defensive midfielder.^[32] He quickly established himself as part of Albania’s midfield rotation, earning a total of six caps by October 2025.^[33]

As of match played 6 December 2025^[3]

As of match played 13 November 2025^[3]

• Juljan Shehu at Soccerway.com
• Juljan Shehu at WorldFootball.net
• Juljan Shehu at kicker (in German)
• Juljan Shehu at 90minut.pl (in Polish)