2018–19 FC Drita season

On 19 June, before leaving for Gibraltar Drita transferred footballer Betim Haxhimusa from their local rivals.[1]

On 6 June Drita transferred Albanian goalkeeper Edvan Bakaj from KF Liria. Bakaj has signed a one-year contract with the club.[2]

On 3 July after returning from the state of Gjilbardari and winning victories there in the Pre-Eliminary Round in the UEFA Champions League, FC Drita transferred the other player from his local rivals SC Gjilani, midfielder Zgjim Mustafa.[3]

On 21 July was presented the offensive midfielder at Drita Eri Lamçja, was more active to KF Luftetari[4]

On 3 August transferred Edenilson Bergonsi Bergonsi is not unheard of for the supporters as he was part of the Drita for the half-season at the end of 2016. "Edenilson Bergonsi is the next transfer for the 2018/2019 season. Bergonsi has signed a one-year contract with our team and Monday is expected to start drills with the group." said a club official![5]

On 6 August champions in power have formalized the deal with Filonit Shaqiri, who is the third player to come from rivals from the same city.[6]

On 17 August Football Federation of Kosovo has sentenced FC Drita to 10,000 euros and 2 games without a spectators, with the reason that the supporters of FC Drita had wrong behavior by throwing fireworks on the field that significantly contaminated the air and hampered the course of the match and used offensive expression to the team and the opposing supporters[7][8]

On 18 August although the transfer deadline for the transfer of players has been completed, FC Drita has presented the latest lead, defender Ervis Kaja. The player was recently part of KF Liria from Prizren, as he previously made his career in KF Tirana, KF Laçi, KF Besa.[9]

On 13 September after Drita loss against KF Llapi, Bekim Isufi resigned from the position of the coach! Under the direction of Bekim Isufi, Drita was the champion of the Kosovo Super League, as well as won the Super Cup of Kosovo.

On 15 September Fisnik Kerçeli resigned from the position of the Sports director of the team. In the message to the Drita's supporters he said: "I can not remain indifferent to the situation that we are in. Recently, with the arrival of some unprofessional people, I think the situation got out of control!"[10]

On 17 September Drita FC has signed a 1-year agreement with the coach from Albania, Shpëtim Duro. Duro in the past has coached Albanian clubs such as KF Partizani from Tirana, KF Flamurtari Vlorë from Vlora, KF Vllaznia from Shkodra, KF Skenderbeu from Korça and KF Shkëndija from Tetovo. This is the first time that Duro will lead a team in Kosovo.[11][12] [13]

On 17 September The club of Gjilan has formalized Ardian Nuhiu as assistant of Shpëtim Duro, who was presented on the same day to The Intellectuals. Nuhiu has signed the two-year contract.[14]

On 20 December, Drita was awarded as the best team of the year, Xhevdet Shabani was awarded as the best player of the year and the coach Bekim Isufi was awarded as the best coach of the year. Betim Haxhimusa and Kastriot Rexha have awarded for the best Superliga scorers with 13 goals each. Whereas for the best formation of the year are selected 3 players of Drita: Xhevdet Shabani, Kastriot Rexha and Endrit Krasniqi.[15]

On 2 January, Drita has held talks with Albania's National Team Player, Jahmir Hyka, by signing a contract for four months with a salary of 10,000 euros for month. But Hyka has rejected this offer due to the poor quality of Kosovo's Super League.[16]

On 6 January, Drita announced the transfer of Arbër Shala loan to FC Kamza. He will stay at this club until the end of the season.[17]

On 10 January, The defender, Perparim Osmani was loaned for six months from Prishtina to the Drita.[18]

On 10 January, Drita has reached agreement with midfielder Endrit Krasniqi to continue co-operation for another year. Krasniqi's contract signed before international matches expired in January 2019.[19]

On 16 January, Drita has announced that has unilaterally terminated the contract with the defender from Albania, Ervis Kaja. Kaja, as the club from Gjilan has announced, has not responded to the invitation to start the preparatory phase for the Superliga spring season.[20]

On 21 January, Drita has announced the break-out of cooperation with the Edvan Bakaj the goalkeeper from Tirana.

On 22 January, Viktor Kuka ha loaned to KF Ferizaj for 6 month.

On 24 January, Has presented 5 players: Denis Haliti, left defender, who is called back from loan. Festim Krasniqi is another player who will strengthen the wing of the attack. Klajdi Burba a classic forward, and after Edvan Bakaj leave the team Drita has transferred Mario Kirev a goalkeeper from Kamza[21]

On 11 February, Ardian Nuhiu was named the new coach of FC Drita

As of 18 August 2018[31]

In: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player 8 MF  BRA Edenilson (from Enosis Neon Paralimni) 9 FW  BRA Ricardo Verza (on loan from Goiás) 14 MF  KOS Fillonit Shaqiri (from Gjilani) 16 MF  KOS Albin Krasniqi (from FC Bellach) 20 MF  ALB Erjon Vucaj (from Vllaznia Shkodër) 22 FW  KOS Betim Haxhimusa (from Gjilani) 23 DF  KOS Arbër Shala (from Laçi) 27 FW  ALB Eri Lamçja (from Luftëtari Gjirokastër) 29 DF  ALB Ervis Kaja (from Liria) 31 GK  ALB Edvan Bakaj (from Liria) 74 MF  KOS Zgjim Mustafa (from Gjilani)

Out: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player 7 MF  KOS Astrit Fazliu (to Feronikeli) 9 FW  KOS Leotrim Kryeziu (to Lugano) 30 GK  KOS Betim Halimi (to Narva Trans) 99 GK  KOS Dorart Ramadani (to Dardana) — MF  KOS Alban Rexhepi (to Llapi) — MF  KOS Edison Kqiku (to Gjilani) — FW  KOS Ylli Bislimi (to 2 Korriku)

As of 2 February 2019[32]

In: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player 8 DF  KOS Përparim Osmani (on loan from Prishtina) 9 FW  NGA Kyrian Nwabueze (from Pobeda) 21 DF  KOS Denis Haliti 30 GK  BUL Mario Kirev (from Kamza) 45 FW  KOS Festim Krasniqi (from Renova) 42 MF  ALB Klajdi Burba (from Viking U19)

Out: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player 17 DF  ALB Ervis Kaja (to Dinamo Tirana) 23 DF  KOS Arbër Shala (to Kamza) 27 DF  ALB Eri Lamçja (to Bylis Ballsh) 31 DF  ALB Edvan Bakaj (to Luftëtari Gjirokastër) 62 DF  KOS Viktor Kuka (to Ferizaj)

No.	Pos.	Nation	Name	Superleague of Kosovo	Kosovar Cup	Total
7	MF		Endrit Krasniqi	4	0	4
22	FW		Betim Haxhimusa	7	0	7
4	DF		Fidan Gërbeshi	2	0	2
4	DF		Ervis Kaja	1	0	1
93	MF		Haxhi Neziraj	2	0	2
10	MF		Xhevdet Shabani	3	0	3
25	MF		Bujar Shabani	3	0	3
23	MF		Arbër Shala	1	0	1
14	MF		Filonit Shaqiri	1	0	1
TOTAL				20	0	20

Last updated: 23 September 2018

No.	Pos.	Name	Superliga		Kosovar Cup		Kosovar SuperCup		Total
4	DF	Fidan Gërbeshi	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
13	DF	Liridon Leci	7	0	1	0	0	0	7	1
62	DF	Viktor Kuka	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
10	MF	Xhevdet Shabani	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
93	MF	Haxhi Neziraj	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
23	MF	Arbër Shala	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
25	MF	Bujar Shabani	5	1	0	0	0	0	5	1
22	MF	Betim Haxhimusa	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
27	MF	Eri Lamcja	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
4	MF	Filonit Shaqiri	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
7	MF	Endrit Krasniqi	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
20	MF	Erjon Vucaj	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Total			48	0	0	0	0	0	48	2

Last updated: 10 February 2019 Source: ffk-kosova.com

As the winners of the 2017–18 Kosovar Cup and 2017–18 Football Superleague of Kosovo, Drita faced the Kosovar Cup winner, Prishtina for the season opening Kosovar Supercup.

Drita v Prishtina

13 August 2018 (2018-08-13) 2017–18 Kosovar Supercup	Drita	2–1	Prishtina	Pristina, Kosovo
20:00 (UTC+1)	Gërbeshi 64' (pen.) Haxhimusa 82'	Report	Mankenda 34'	Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Genc Nuza (Kosovo)

Drita competed in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the 2018–19 season, entering at the preliminary round. On 12 June 2018, in Nyon, the draw was held and Drita were drawn against the Andorran side Santa Coloma.[33][34] On 26 June 2018, Drita beat Santa Coloma at Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar and became the first Kosovar side to win a UEFA Champions League match.[35]

Santa Coloma v Drita

26 June 2018 (2018-06-26) Preliminary round	Santa Coloma	0–2 (a.e.t.)	Drita	Gibraltar
17:00		Report	Shabani 99' Gërbeshi 105+3' (pen.)	Stadium: Victoria Stadium Attendance: 288 Referee: Paul Mclaughlin (Republic of Ireland)

Lincoln Red Imps v Drita

29 June 2018 (2018-06-29) Preliminary round	Lincoln Red Imps	1–4 (a.e.t.)	Drita	Gibraltar
20:30	Corral 61'	Report	Leci 2', 105+3' (pen.) Shabani 120' Neziraj 120+4'	Stadium: Victoria Stadium Attendance: 468 Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (Lithuania)

Drita v Malmö

10 July 2018 (2018-07-10) First qualifying round	Drita	0–3	Malmö	Mitrovica, Kosovo
20:45		Report	Strandberg 13' Traustason 39' Rosenberg 82'	Stadium: Olympic Stadium Adem Jashari Attendance: 9,780 Referee: Boris Marhefka (Slovakia)

Malmö v Drita

17 July 2018 (2018-07-17) First qualifying round	Malmö	2–0	Drita	Malmö, Sweden
19:00	Strandberg 55' Larsson 60'	Report		Stadium: Malmö Stadion, Malmö Attendance: 10,623 Referee: Laurent Kopriwa (Luxembourg)

After being eliminated from Malmö, Drita continued to play in the second qualifying round of UEFA Europa League. On 17 July 2018, Drita teaches the upcoming rival which was the champion of 2017–18 Luxembourg National Division, F91 Dudelange.[36][37]

F91 Dudelange v Drita

26 July 2018 (2018-07-26) Second qualifying round	F91 Dudelange	2–1	Drita	Dudelange, Luxembourg
18:30	Perez 66' Turpel 81' (pen.)	Report	Shabani 45+2'	Stadium: Stade Jos Nosbaum Attendance: 737 Referee: Leontios Trattou (Cyprus)

Drita v F91 Dudelange

2 August 2018 (2018-08-02) Second qualifying round	Drita	1–1	F91 Dudelange	Mitrovica, Kosovo
20:45	Limani 26'	Report	Stumpf 46'	Stadium: Olympic Stadium Adem Jashari Attendance: 2,200 Referee: Michael Tykgaard (Denmark)