Under-the-Radar 005 - Maldini Kacurri

It was a crisp Tuesday night in October at Scunthorpe when I first noticed this ‘intriguing’ name on the Morecambe team sheet. Maldini Kacurri isn’t the sort of name you would often read down the official list of a National League match in the lower echelons of English football but on name alone, it opened up my eyes, I just had to know more.

Turns out Kacurri is of Albanian descent, born in Lewisham in 2005, he was named after the great AC Milan stopper Paolo, of course, and began playing youth football, eventually getting a gig at Fulham before Arsenal snapped up his services as a promising sixteen-year-old defender, since 2022 he featured in many of the Gunners Premier League 2 games for the U21’s before cutting his first pro contract with the club in 2024.

By then, he was already capped at youth level by Albania (he’s since made his first full appearance) and after making his Gunners debut in the EFL Cup win over Bolton in 2024, he was loaned out to Bromley to further his development, before joining Morecambe in 2025 again on loan, as part of Ashvir Singh Johal’s Shrimpers revolution (attempt).

Whilst things didn’t work out well for Morecambe, or for Singh Johal, Kacurri in a struggling side at the foot of the fifth tier put in some decent performances, including in a 3-1 defeat at Glanford Park when I first watched him play, all together he played nineteen times for the Shrimpers scoring the once, before a further loan move to League Two Grimsby Town in January, and after a very good spell in which he helped the Mariners reach the playoffs (18 all comp games and another net notch to post), Town signed him this summer on a permanent basis from Arsenal, and now he sets his sights on a first full Football League season ahead.

Quick Stats:

• DOB: 4 October 2005 (Lewisham)

• Height: 6ft2in (1.89m)

• Foot: R

• Position: Central Defender

• Club: Grimsby Town (since 2026)

• Previous: Arsenal (2024-26), Bromley (2025) loan, Morecambe (2025-26) loan

Attributes…

Like his name sake, Maldini is a calm and cool defender who reads the game exceptionally well for a young man, still just 20-years-old he is assured and composed and isn’t phased by opponents, one that likes the battle of one-v-one.

Being at Arsenal you can imagine Kacurri’s ball playing skills are exceptional and they are, he can carry the ball out of defence comfortably and spray passes across field with a very good right foot.

Still has a lot to learn, when not to rush in and when to get tight, where best to positionally set himself when defending (in possession he drifts right to provide very good option by utilising space around him) but he’s a solid, combative, plucky kid who puts his head where it hurts if needed, and is one who’s all around ability, will see him no doubt have a decent career in the game.

How Does He Fit In?

David Artell has been manager of Grimsby Town since 2023. In that time he has been able to get his message across, and in return the players he has, have adopted into his complex system, like glue, and the free flowing movement that clicks like clockwork when at its best, has Kacurri playing a huge part indeed, he’s a necessary cog in the eleven piece equipment that Artell has slowly pieced together during his tenure.

Last season Kacurri played right sided centre half in a 4-1-4-1 formation and that trend looks to continue this time around? Grimsby tend to cheat with their full backs and in Harvey Rodgers at right back, often inverted and further advanced given freedom to roam in field, this frees up Kacurri to drift right, allowing deep lying holding midfielder Geza David Turi to get on the ball, as well as Kieran Green and Charles Vernam who have the space to free flow around in midfield.

It’s an advanced formation that Kacurri having grown up at Arsenal has the ability and knowhow to play, defensively structured to get set in position, in possession, you might see him every now and again wander forward on the ball, and also look out for him from set plays, a decent aerial threat from corners and free kicks.

Form & Future…

Since signing for Grimsby in January, Kacurri played the final sixteen games of the season straight, with fourteen of those matches in the league, appearing in 1255 minutes of a possible 1260 played.

In the two leg playoff semi-final v Salford which Grimsby narrowly lost, Kacurri appeared in both matches from the start, only being subbed in the second leg after 119 minutes during extra time, sacrificed for a forward as Grimsby searched a late goal.

His Flashscore rating (out of ten) during those games is listed at 7.1 which is well above average for a player at his level, in his position, it’s no secret he’s already adhered himself to the Grimsby faithful and is a big part player of the clubs ambition for promotion this season.

Expect some solid displays ahead as Town push for promotion, the odd goal along the way, and a mazy dribble or two, he’ll spread the play and soak the applause, but above all, he’ll be up for the battle, willing to give 110% and block shots, tackle opponents, head balls, with some Premier League Academy quality at his feet, the credentials are all in place, and we all love a defender who can play a bit, don’t we?

theHEADscout.

I’m a sports DATA Analyst and PFSA associate scout with level two qualifications in talent identification and level one certificates in technical scouting & opposition analysis.