Iván Balliu


Iván Balliu Campeny is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a right back for UD Almería.
After starting out at Barcelona B, he went on to compete professionally in Spain, Portugal and France.
Balliu represented his native Spain at youth level before declaring for Albania, for which he qualified via his father. He was first included in an Albanian senior squad in 2017, making his debut in October of that year.

Club career

Barcelona

Born in Caldes de Malavella, Girona, Catalonia, to an Albanian father and a Spanish mother, Balliu joined FC Barcelona's youth system in 2004, aged 12. He made his senior debut in the 2010–11 season, playing in two Segunda División games with the B-team and starting against Girona FC for a 2–0 away win; in that year, he was also captain of the treble-winning Juvenil A team.

Arouca

On 30 May 2013, Balliu's contract expired and he was told by the Blaugrana that he would be released. One month later, he signed with F.C. Arouca in Portugal for two seasons, making his Primeira Liga debut on 1 September in a 1–0 home win against Rio Ave FC.

Metz

On 17 July 2015, Balliu joined French club FC Metz on a two-year deal. He scored his first goal as a professional on 16 October, helping the hosts come from behind in a 2–2 home draw to Clermont Foot.
After contributing with 24 appearances during his first season to help his team return to Ligue 1 after a one-year absence, Balliu's first match in the competition occurred on 13 August 2016, in a 3–2 home victory over Lille OSC.

Almería

On 12 August 2019, Balliu agreed to a two-year contract with UD Almería of the Spanish second level.

International career

Of Albanian descent on his father's side, Balliu was eligible to represent Albania, speaking of his interest in an interview on 24 October 2016. On 22 August 2017 he received Albanian citizenship, thus becoming eligible to play for the national team. He was handed his first call shortly after when newly appointed coach Christian Panucci selected him for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Macedonia on 2 and 5 September, and earned his first cap also during that stage, playing the first half of the 0–3 loss against Spain in Alicante on 6 October.

Personal life

On 17 June 2017, Balliu married Marta Soler.

Career statistics

Club

International