On 1 June 2018, Tirana announced to have signed a new two-year contract with manager Zé Maria, making him the highest paid coach in Albania.[1] The defender Erion Hoxhallari agreed a new contract until June 2020 despite interest from several European clubs.[2] Then he was sent on loan at fellow Superliga side Laçi on a short-term contract only for their UEFA Europa League campaign.[3]
On 14 June, Tirana reached a principal agreement with striker Michael Ngoo for the contract renewal.[4] The club announced their first summer transfer nine days later, the Macedonian striker Dejan Blazhevski, who signed a 1+1 contract.[5]
On 29 June, the youngster Ernest Muçi signed his first professional contract that would link him with Tirana for the next three years.[6] The club also presented their second signing of summer transfer window, the midfielder Eni Imami who signed for the next two seasons.[7]
July
Tirana begun the month by completing the signing of Vincent Atinga on a contract until June 2021.[8] Youngsters Jurgen Çelhaka and Marsel Ismailgeci both signed three-year contracts, their firsts as professionals.[9][10] The club then announced the next signing, the Ghanaian midfielder Winful Cobbinah, who signed a three-year deal.[11]
The club did not offer a new deal the youngster Patrik Bardhi who left as a free agent and later signed for Kastrioti Krujë.[12] After one season, Alked Çelhaka left the club by terminating the contract by mutual consent.[13]
In the first friendly, Tirana recorded a 2–0 win at Selman Stërmasi Stadium against Apolonia Fier with the goal coming from newcomers Dejan Blazhevski and Edon Hasani.[18] On 27 July, Sedat Berisha was unveiled as Tirana's newest player by signing a one-year contract with an option to renew.[19] In the second one, Tirana won again, this time 3–0 versus Flamurtari Pristina.[20]
August
Club vice-captain Gentian Muça returned in training after more than a year after healing from the Spinal disc herniation and a neck tumor which he discovered in July of the previous year.[21][22] In the third and final friendly against Prishtina, Tirana suffered the first loss, as the Football Superleague of Kosovo side won 3–1 with Albi Doka scoring the consolation goal for the team.[23]
On 14 August, Tirana acquired the services of goalkeeper Shpëtim Moçka as a free agent. Moçka, who previously played for Teuta Durrës, signed a contract running until the end of the 2018–19 season.[24] Tirana commenced the Kategoria Superiore season four days later by playing against Kamza at home; the team surprisingly lost via a Sebino Plaku late winner.[25] The following week, Tirana didn't go more than a goalless draw against Teuta Durrës, earning their first championship point.[26]
On 31 August 2018, Nnamdi Oduamadi joined the club on a two-year contract.[31]
September
Tirana begun the new month by playing in the third league match against Kukësi at Loro Boriçi Stadium; youngster Ernest Muçi scored the consolation goal for the team which was defeated 3–1.[32] Two goals from Cobbinah and one each from Blazhevski and Turtulli secured a 4–1 victory in the first leg of the Albanian Cup, first round, over Iliria Fushë-Krujë.[33]
Back in league, Tirana won their first championship match on 16 September by defeating Luftëtari Gjirokastër 3–1 at home; Blazhevski, Turtulli and Greca gave Tirana their first top-flight win after 484 days.[34] The team then played Skënderbeu Korçë away in the matchday 5; despite opening the score with a header from Edon Hasani, the team conceded in the last minutes in a match which was marred by referee's mistakes.[35]
On 25 September, Tirana won comfortably the second leg of Albanian Cup first round against Iliria Fushë-Krujë; Sentamu scored a hat-trick which was followed by Ngoo's goal.[36] The team will play Flamurtari Vlorë in the second round.[37]
Three days later, Tirana played their first derby match against Partizani Tirana after more than a year; the team lost again, making it 14 consecutive matches without winning.[38] The loss also meant the team's worst Kategoria Superiore start since 2007–08 season.[39]
October
Tirana's October begun with a 3–2 win at Kastrioti Krujë for the second win of the season. A brace by Blazhevski and an owngoal from Stijepović sealed the victory for the white&blues.[40] It was Tirana's first away win in Kategoria Superiore since February 2016.[41]
In the next league match, Tirana fell at the hands of Laçi; the guests won 1–0 at Selman Stërmasi Stadium thanks to a goal of Redon Xhixha while Blazhevski missed a crucial penalty in the last minutes.[42] Following the match, striker Nnamdi Oduamadi was sent to hospital with a broken rib due to heavy challenges from Laçi players.[43]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Since the winners of the 2018–19 Albanian Cup, Kukësi, qualified for European competition based on league position, the spot awarded to the cup winners was passed down to the sixth-placed team, Laçi, since the fourth-placed team and the fifth-placed team failed to obtain a UEFA license.
^The match was originally scheduled to be played on 9 March, but it was delayed due to the boycott of the Union of Albanian football referees due to insecure conditions at the stadiums.
^The match was awarded due to the exclusion of Kamza.
