Struga Trim & Lum's new prospect: Agon Demiri debuts at 16 years and 6 days
The 16-year-old Agon Demiri entered a friendly on 1 August and will now train with Struga Trim & Lum's first team under coach Bledi Shkembi.
Struga Trim & Lum have introduced a new prospect to their senior squad: Agon Demiri made his first-team debut on 1 August, coming on in the second half of a friendly against GFK Ohrid Lichnidos that finished 3:1 in Struga's favour.
Demiri was 16 years and 6 days old at the time of his debut, and by entering the match he became one of the youngest players to appear for the club since its founding.
Coach accelerates his promotion
Coach Bledi Shkembi has already moved Demiri into the first-team training group after being impressed by the youngster's qualities. Shkembi told club staff he sees a rare talent and has promised that Demiri will be given playing time soon in Macedonian First Football League (PMFL) matches.
The sequence of recent dates almost saw Demiri set a nationwide record. Dashmir Elezi currently holds the PMFL debut record at 16 years and 1 day; Demiri turned 16 on Sunday, 26 July, but Struga's first-round league fixture against Shkëndija Aračinovo was played a day earlier, on 25 July, which made the player ineligible for that match. The coach asked the club leadership to postpone the fixture so Demiri could equal or surpass the record, but the request came too late.
Despite missing the chance to become the youngest-ever debutant in Macedonian top-flight history, Demiri's immediate inclusion in first-team training and his substitute appearance in the 3:1 win mark a clear step in his development and the club's trust in his potential.
Photo: press material from the event
