Waived on March 1, 2019.
PRONUNCIATION: SH-KELT-zun Gah-shi
Gashi arrived in MLS in 2016, joining the Rapids from Basel. He has a lethal left foot that allows him to pick out teammates or locate shots from distance. He will look to bounce back in 2019 after a second consecutive season with just two goals.
INTERNATIONAL: Born in Zurich, Gashi made 21 appearances for the Switzerland U17, U19 and U21 squads, notching eight goals. In 2013, Gashi earned his senior team debut for the Albanian national team after receiving his citizenship on August 18. At the senior level, Gashi has scored one goal in 17 appearances for Albania, including the game-winning goal against Armenia during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers on March 29, 2015. He appeared in one game at the 2016 Euros.
OUTSIDE MLS: Gashi joined from FC Basel of the Swiss Super League, where he scored 25 goals since his arrival to the club prior to the 2014 season. Gashi has earned Swiss Super League Golden Boot honors in his last two seasons after scoring 19 goals for Grasshopper Club Zürich in 2013-14 and 22 goals for FC Basel in 2014-15. In 2014, he earned Axpo Player of the Year accolades, awarded to the best player in the Swiss Super League. Gashi made his professional debut in 2006 with FC Zürich of the Swiss League and, following two loan stints with FC Schaffhausen and AC Bellinzona, joined Neuchâtel Xamax in 2010. While with Neuchâtel, Gashi appeared in 13 games (1 goal) and a total of 41 games (22 goals) with FC Aarau in 2011-12.
NOTES: Winner of 2016 Goal of the Year.
