Elijah Ari

Elijah Ari (born 6 November 1987), sometimes also known as Elijah Aryee, is a professional footballer who plays as a defender, for Up Country Lions in the Sri Lanka Champions League. Born in Ghana, he moved to Central Asia in 2007, and played three seasons in Kyrgyzstan for Dordoi Bishkek. From 2013 he represented the Kyrgyzstan national team internationally, making eight appearances in two years.

Elijah Ari

Personal information
Date of birth	(1987-11-06) 6 November 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Ghana
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Up Country Lions
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2010	Dordoi Bishkek
2010	Vakhsh Qughonteppa
2011	Regar-TadAZ
2012	Energetik Dushanbe
2013–2015	Regar-TadAZ
2015	Bowsher Club
2018	Akademija Osh	25
2019	Sumida Ulaanbaatar	11	(7)
2020	Dushanbe-83	0	(0)
2021–	Up Country Lions	0	(0)
International career
2013–2014	Kyrgyzstan	8	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 March 2021

Club career

The Ghanaian born Ari started his career in Dordoi Bishkek where he played three seasons and acquired Kyrgyzstani citizenship. He then spent one season with Vakhsh Qughonteppa in neighboring Tajikistan. He then played for Bowsher Club, in Oman.^[1]

On 31 March 2020, Ari was announced as part of Dushanbe-83's squad for the 2020 season.^[2] Ari left Dushanbe-83 during the 2020 season's summer transfer window, having not played for the club.^[3]

International career

Ari has eight national appearances for Kyrgyzstan to his name.^[1]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[1]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Kyrgyzstan	2013	5	0
	2014	3	0
Total		8	0