One of FC Helsingør's youngest stars has been selected for the youth national team and is therefore traveling today to his home country, North Macedonia, where already tomorrow he will play the first of two matches against Bosnia.
17-year-old Donart Bedjeti came to Denmark less than 3 years ago, but just as seriously as he takes football, he also takes his development off the pitch. He speaks fluent Danish, and with a home in Ballerup it is not always an easy task to juggle school, travel time and football.
Donart, or “Donny” in everyday speech, is a first-year U19 player, but has recently been around the first team and in FC Helsingør's preseason has gotten minutes in several friendly matches. Most recently against FC Copenhagen, where he even scored the goal to make it 2-1. Despite being only 17 years old, he seems quite unfazed even though he is up against defenders with Champions League experience.
Opponents are one thing, but teammates are another matter. Donart has played youth football in the North Macedonian club Shkendija, where Ferhan Hasani has also spent a large part of his career.
That therefore means a great deal to the young talent to get the chance to share a dressing room with one of his childhood idols.
“It is huge to play alongside Bubba (Hasani’s nickname). I have known him since I was 7 years old, and I still remember standing and waiting for him after matches to get a picture with him. Hard work pays off and now we play together, which is very special”
His performances at club level have also not gone unnoticed by the scouts in his home country, and Donart has now received the call-up to the U19 national team ahead of the European Championship qualification in March. But first there are the two matches against Bosnia, where the winger hopes to make a good impression.
“It is huge for both me and my family. It is something I have always dreamed of and worked hard for, so I am incredibly much looking forward to putting on the national team shirt”
Donart Bedjeti is still waiting for his debut in the NordicBet League, but surely we will soon see him in action for the city’s first team.
