Elvis Sina is an Albanian former footballer. He has successfully played for Tirana in the Albanian Superliga, and for the Albanian national team. He begun his career as a midfielder, but as the years passed he was utilized in defence firstly as right-back and later as a centre-back. Sina is the most-capped player in the history of Tirana with more than 470 appearances in all competitions.
Club career
Sina began his professional career with Tirana in 1996 and by the age of just 19 he became a key first team player, helping his side win the Albanian Superliga 6 times, Albanian Cup 4 times and Albanian Supercup 5 times. He left the club in 2006 in favour of signing with other top flight side Elbasani. With his new side Sina played 25 league matches and scored one goal, the second of a 2–0 win versus Flamurtari Vlorë. He only spent one season at Elbasani before heading back to Tirana for the 2007–08 season. On 7 May 2008, Tirana lost the 2008 Albanian Cup Final match to Vllaznia Shkodër with Sina playing only in the first half. After the end of the match, Sina along with two teammates were suspended by the club with the suspicion of match-fixing which subsequently lead to his second departure from the club. On 9 June 2008, Sina moved to Tirana's fierce local rivals Dinamo Tiranain the summer of 2008 where he won the Albanian Supercup in his only season at the club before once again returning to Tirana for his third stint in 2009. Sina returned for a second time at Tirana in August 2009 by signing as a free agent. He played 27 league matches in his return season, which was cut-short in April 2010 when Sina suffered a nose injury and was forced to remain sidelined for the rest of the season. In July2012, ahead of the 2012–13 season, manager Julián Rubio decided to strip Sina of captaincy in favour of goalkeeper Ilion Lika. On 8 April 2014, Sina announced that he will retired at the end of 2013–14 season at the age of 35. In the last match of the season against Besa Kavajë, Sina was set to play the last match of his career, but this did not happen because Besa Kavajë didn't appear to play, forcing FSHF to award Tirana with a 3–0 victory. However, for Sina, a farewell ceremony was held to celebrate his career, which was organised by Tirana. In his last season, Sina played 15 matches as his side assured mathematically survival on 3 May 2014, during the 2–2 away draw against Flamurtari Vlorë, where Sina was an unused substitute.
International career
Sina made his debut for the national team in a 1–1 draw against Switzerland on 12 October 2002 whilst playing for KF Tirana. He came on as a late substitute for Ervin Fakaj in the 89th minute of the game. His next international game was only 4 days away against Russia in Volgograd. Sina once again came on as a substitute but this time it was on the 60th minute mark, he replaced Fatmir Vata when the score was 4–1 to the Russians, Sina's presence on the field was shown as Russia did not manage to score again after he had entered the field. The defender earned his next cap in a friendly against Poland on 29 May 2005. It was his first game under the guidance of new coach Hans-Peter Briegel. He came on replacing midfielder Klodian Duro in the 78th minute of the game. Sina's next appearance was a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Denmark on 8 June2005. Just like his first cap this one was earned through a cameo appearance as he came on in the 92nd minute for midfielder Redi Jupi. Sina's last national team cap to date was a friendly in Tirana against Azerbaijan on 17 August 2005. Besides being his last cap, it was also his first start for the national team and the first time he had ever won an international game. He started the match in midfield and came off after an impressive game in the 90th minute for Kosovan born Armend Dallku.
Director career
On 9 September 2015, Sina was named the new director of Tirana's academy following the departure of Ardian Mema, another club legend.
