Lorenco Borici, commonly known as Loro Borici and in Italy as Lorenzo, is considered to be one of Albania’s greatest football players.
Born on August 4, 1922 in Shkoder, he started his career in the local Vllaznia Shkoder club where he debuted at just 15 years of age in a friendly in August 1937. Wanting to pursue his law studies, in 1941 he went to Rome and enrolled in the La Sapienza University. Since he was there he signed for Lazio in January. He played mainly for the reserves in his first season and a half, and occasionally for the first eleven. In 1942-43 he had more playing time and made 16 appearances with four goals. At the end of the season he went back to Albania.
After four years with Vllaznia, where he won two titles in 1945 and 1946, in 1949 he started playing for Partizani Tirana. He stayed with the club until 1956, with 152 league appearances and 68 goals. He won the 1949 and 1954 titles. He closed his career in 1957 with Spartak Tirana.
Borici also played for Albania earning 24 caps with six goals. He was captain of the team that won the Balkan Cup in 1946.
After he finished his active football career he became a manager. After a year as head coach for Spartaz, he coached the national team from 1957 to 1963.
In 1962 he managed Partizani Tirana. In nine years, he won the championship three times (1962-63, 1963-64 and 1970-71) and four Albanian cups (1963-64, 1965-66, 1967-68 and 1969-70). He was also Albania head coach from 1965 to 1972.
Between 1972 and 1975 he was technical director for China and then in 1976 and again 1981 he returned to being head coach of Albania.
Borici at Lazio was mainly Silvio Piola’s reserve, but he made a good contribution in his 20 appearances.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1941-42 | 4 | 4 | - |
1942-43 | 16 (4) | 14 (3) | 2 (1) |
Total | 20 (4) | 18 (3) | 2 (1) |
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