The 2016–17 season was Klubi i Futbollit Tirana's 78th competitive season, 78th consecutive season in the Kategoria Superiore and 96th year in existence as a football club.

Season overview

June

On 1 June, Disciplinary Committee of AFA reduced the sentence of

Gentian Muça Gentian Muça (born 13 May 1987 in Tirana) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Albanian club Tirana. A product of the KF Tirana academy, he spent much of his early career in the lower leagues of Germany before ...

from one year to only the first four matches of the new season. Eight days later,

Elis Bakaj Elis Flamur Bakaj (born 25 June 1987) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or a forward. Bakaj began his career as a youth player for KF Kristali, before moving to Partizani Tirana. In 2002, he sta ...

terminated his contract with the club and signed with the

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

Prva HNL The Hrvatska nogometna liga () ( en, Croatian football league), also known as HNL or for sponsorship reasons the SuperSport HNL, is the top Croatian professional football league competition, established in 1992. Previously, it was called Prva H ...

team

RNK Split Radnički nogometni klub Split, commonly known as RNK Split, is a Croatian football club based in the city of Split. History The club had a strong fanbase in the Split's shipyard. The club was founded on 16 April 1912 as Anarch, but has had se ...

. On 13 June,

Ilir Daja Ilir Daja (born 20 October 1966 in Tirana) is an Albanian professional football coach and former player who is the current manager of the Ballkani. Club career Daja spent his youth career with 17 Nëntori, before playing for Dinamo Tirana for te ...

officially returned to Tirana after he was convinced by the club president

Refik Halili Refik Halili is the chairman and main sponsor of KF Tirana. Since 2003, Halili had been one of the sponsors of the club. His duty as Chairman of KF Tirana started on May 29, 2008. He is a businessman and founder and owner of one of Albania's leading ...

, and during the press conference on the same day, they both presented the new project for the new season. On 15 June, the club parted ways with Ilir Avdyli after only six months of cooperation. A day later, Tirana terminated the cooperation with the midfielder Allush Gavazaj, who spend the previous season on loan at Tërbuni Pukë. Tirana later brought back the veteran goalkeeper

Ilion Lika Ilion Lika (born 17 May 1980) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper and also is goalkeeping coach of Albanian club Tirana in the Albanian Superliga. During his 19-year career span, Lika has played more than 500 match ...

for a third slint at the club. On 23 June, Gentian Muça was sent on loan at Kukësi only for the club's

2016–17 UEFA Europa League The 2016–17 UEFA Europa League was the 46th season of Europe's secondary club association football, football tournament organised by UEFA, and the eighth season since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League. The 2017 UEFA Eu ...

campaign, just like in the previous season. A day later,

Argjend Malaj Argjend Malaj (born 16 October 1993) is a Kosovar-Albanian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Swedish side Trollhättan. Club career Prishtina Malaj joined FC Prishtina in the summer transfer window of 2013 from KF KE ...

signed with

Skënderbeu Korçë , reign = 28 November 1443 – 17 January 1468 , predecessor = Gjon Kastrioti , successor = Gjon Kastrioti II , spouse = Donika Arianiti , issue = Gjon Kastrioti II , royal house = Kastrioti , father ...

as a free agent after he didn't extend his contract with Tirana. On 29 June,

Dritan Smajli Dritan Smajli, also spelled as Dritan Smajlaj, (born 12 February 1985) is an Albanian retired footballer who played as a defender for Kastrioti Krujë, Besëlidhja Lezhë, Vllaznia Shkodër, FK Kukesi and KF Tirana. As of June 2022 he is coac ...

left the club after terminating his contract after one season cooperation.

July

On 4 July,

Ansi Nika Ansi Nika (born 22 August 1990) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Albanian club Flamurtari Vlorë. Club career Nika begun his professional career with Ada Velipojë where he played for two seasons, before joini ...

was signed by the club on a free transfer; Nika signed a two-year contract. One day later, after one-year hiatus,

Afrim Taku Afrim Taku (born 4 August 1989) is an Albanian professional footballer. Club career Early career Taku began his football career as a 13-year-old when he joined the KF Tirana academy, where he progressed through the ranks before eventually bein ...

returned from the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

and signed a one-year contract with Tirana. They were presented on 8 July. A day later, Tirana acquired the services of

Marvin Turtulli Marvin Turtulli (born 17 October 1994) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Skënderbeu Korçë in the Albanian Superliga. Club career Early career Turtulli started his youth career at FK Dinamo Tirana academie ...

from

Dinamo Tirana Futboll Club Dinamo Tirana is an Albanian professional football club based in the country's capital Tirana. They play in the Kategoria e Parë, the second tier of Albanian football, in the 2022–23 season. Founded in 1950 during the communist r ...

on a three-year contract. Following that, on 11 July, Tirana purchased

Asion Daja Asion Daja (born 14 March 1990 in Tiranë) is an Albanian football player who plays as a midfielder for Teuta Durrës. By signing with Tirana in July 2016, Daja become one of the few players to have represented all the capital teams. Daja rep ...

Partizani Tirana Futboll Klub Partizani, or FK Partizani for short, is an Albanian professional football club based in Tirana, that competes in the Kategoria Superiore. Founded in 1946, the club was historically affiliated to the Albanian army. Partizani's curren ...

on a two-year deal, becoming the club's fifth summer signing. On 13 July,

Dorian Kërçiku Dorian Kërçiku (born 30 August 1993) is an Albanian footballer. He started his career with KF Tirana in 2011, but after only three appearances he moved to Skënderbeu Korçë where he would go on to win the Albanian Superliga title twice in two ...

agreed a contract extension with the club, singing until July 2019, while the goalie

Edvan Bakaj Edvan Bakaj (born 9 October 1987) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Club career Besa Kavajë During the winter break, Bakaj announced his departure from Laçi along with the striker Julian Malo, and, in ...

signed a new two-year contract. One day later, Tirana signed a new two-year deal with

Erion Hoxhallari Erion Hoxhallari (born 15 October 1995) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Romanian club UTA Arad. Club career Early career Hoxhallari started his youth career at Tirana. On 1 July 2011 he was loaned out at Aust ...

. On the same day, the youngster

David Domgjoni David Nue Domgjonas (born 21 May 1997), commonly known as David Domgjoni, is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Turkish club Manisa and the Kosovo national team. Club career Tirana On 2 July 2014, Domgjoni signed hi ...

returned in the club after finishing his loan at

Kastrioti Krujë KS Kastrioti, also known as Kastrioti Krujë, is an Albanian football club based in the city of Krujë. The club's home ground is the Kastrioti Stadium which has a capacity of 8,000 spectators and they currently compete in the Kategoria Superi ...

and penned a three-year contract. On 17 July, Tirana announced via its official

Facebook Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin M ...

page that the team traveled to Zlatibor,

Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Bas ...

to make the summer preparations for the upcoming season. Tirana also informed that the team would stay for two weeks at Iris Hotel and will arrange four friendlies. One day later, Tirana brought on trial Nigerian striker

Emeka Emerun Emeka Emerun (born 11 November 1994) is a Nigerian football player who plays for FK Budućnost Dobanovci in the Serbian First League. Club career Born in Owerri, he begin playing football inspired by his mother, who was a football player. He s ...

, who flew out to Zlatibor to link up with the rest of the squad on their summer training camp. However, he left the team on 25 July after refusing to continue the trial. Tirana won the first friendly match against

OFK Petrovac OFK Petrovac is a football club based in Petrovac, Montenegro. They currently compete in the First League of Montenegro. History OFK Petrovac was founded in 1969, under the name ''FK Nafta''. During the first season, they played in the lowest- ...

with the result 3–1. Halili, Karabeci and Bajramaj scored the goals for Tirana. On 22 July,

returned to the team after the end Kukësi's European campaign. One the same day, Ryota Noma and Hiroaki Yamamoto joined the club on trial until the end of summer training camp. In the next friendly match against

OFK Grbalj Omladinski fudbalski klub Grbalj (, ) is a Montenegro, Montenegrin association football, football club based in the small town of Radanovići, Kotor, Radanovići, municipality of Kotor. They currently compete in the Montenegrin Second League. His ...

, Tirana suffered a 0–1 narrow defeat, with Todorović scoring the match only goal. In the third friendly versus Novi Pazar, Tirana didn't go more than a goalless draw. In the final friendly against the

OFK Beograd OFK Beograd ( sr-Cyrl, ОФК Београд – Омладински фудбалски клуб Београд, English: ''Belgrade Youth Football Club'') is a Serbian professional football club based in Belgrade, more precisely in Karaburma, ...

, Tirana clinched a 1–0 victory to end thus the summer preparations.

August

On 19 August, Tirana confirmed the signing of four players, respectively

Romuald Ntsitsigui Romuald Ntsitsigui Ewouta (born 8 April 1991) is a Gabonese footballer who plays as a striker for Gabonese club Mangasport and the Gabon national team.

Ifeanyi Edeh Ifeanyi Benjamin Ede (born 5 December 1990) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward. Club career Tirana On 19 August 2016, Ede completed a transfer to Albania's most successful club Tirana as a free agent, signing a two-y ...

, Moise Nkounkou and Merveille Ndockyt; they all signed two-year contracts and were presented on the same day. A day later, Tirana officially terminated the contract with the defender

Ronald Gërçaliu Ronald Gërçaliu (german: Ronald Gercaliu, ; born 12 February 1986) is an Albanian-born Austrian footballer who plays for FC Kufstein. Eligible to play for Albania, he chose to play for Austria after being called up by Hans Krankl in 2005. Clu ...

by mutual consensus. On 26 August, Tirana completed the signing of the 19-years old striker Flamur Bajrami on a three-year contract.

September

Tirana started the month by completing the signing of

Argjend Mustafa Argjend Mustafa (born 22 October 1993) is a Kosovar-Albanian footballer who plays for FC Llapi. Club career He had a half season abroad with Skënderbeu in the Albanian Superliga The Kategoria Superiore, officially known as Abissnet Superi ...

on a free transfer. Tirana started the season on 7 September with a goalless draw against

Teuta Durrës Teuta ( Illyrian: *''Teutana'', 'mistress of the people, queen'; grc, Τεύτα; lat, Teuta) was the queen regent of the Ardiaei tribe in Illyria, who reigned approximately from 231 BC to 228/227 BC. Following the death of her spouse Agro ...

in the opening

2016–17 Kategoria Superiore The 2016–17 Kategoria Superiore was the 78th official season, or 81st season of top-tier football in Albania (including three unofficial championships during World War II) and the 17th season under the name Kategoria Superiore. Skënderbeu were t ...

week. This draw was followed by another goalless draw away against Laçi four days later, a match which brought a controversial moment in the 38th minute as the referee Remzi Sadiku denied Tirana a clear penalty after a handball from a Laçi player. In the matchday 3 against Kukësi at home, Tirana produced a hard-fought performance, coming from behind two times to earn a 2–2 draw.

and Merveille Ndockyt scored the first goals of the season. In the fourth match against

in the so-called "

Tirana derby The term Tirana derby refers to the local derbies in Tirana played between two of the three professional football clubs KF Tirana, Dinamo or Partizani. It specifically refers to individual matches between the clubs, but can also be used to desc ...

", Tirana didn't go more than a goalless draw, making it the fourth consecutive draw. It was the worst start in the history of the club since the 1960'. To begin its Albanian Cup campaign, Tirana was shorted against Sopoti Librazhd and played its first leg match at

Selman Stërmasi Stadium The Selman Stërmasi Stadium ( sq, Stadiumi Selman Stërmasi) is a multi-purpose stadium in Tirana, Albania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of KF Tirana. The stadium holds 9,500 people (all seated). It i ...

. Tirana netted first through a

Gilman Lika Gilman Lika (born 31 January 1987) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Vllaznia Shkodër in the Albanian Superliga and the Albania national team. Having started his career with Vllaznia Shkodër in 2004, he ...

goal in the 45th minute, but Sopoti equalized via a

Mirel Çota Mirel Çota (born 14 May 1988) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Albanian club AF Elbasani. Club career Tirana 24-year old Çota completed a transfer at Tirana on 12 June 2012 by penning a two-year contract worth ...

penalty minutes before the final whistle.

Players

Squad information

Transfers

In

Summer

Winter

Out

Summer

Winter

Pre-season and friendlies

Competitions

Kategoria Superiore

League table

Results summary

Results by round

Matches

Albanian Cup

First round

Second round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

Statistics

Squad stats

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League League or The League may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band * ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football Sports * Sports league * Rugby league, full contact footba ...

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Cup A cup is an open-top used to hold hot or cold liquids for pouring or drinking; while mainly used for drinking, it also can be used to store solids for pouring (e.g., sugar, flour, grains, salt). Cups may be made of glass, metal, china, clay, ...

! style="width:70px;", Total Stats , - , align=left, Games played , , 5, , 2, , 7 , - , align=left, Games won , , 1, , 1, , 2 , - , align=left, Games drawn , , 4, , 1, , 5 , - , align=left, Games lost , , 0, , 0, , 0 , - , align=left, Goals scored , , 5, , 8, , 13 , - , align=left, Goals conceded , , 2, , 1, , 3 , - , align=left, Goal difference , , 3, , 7, , 10 , - , align=left, Clean sheets , , 4, , 1, , 5 , -

Top scorers

{, class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align: center;" , - !width="7%", No. !width="7%", Pos. !width="7%", Nation !width="20%", Name ! Kategoria Superiore !

Albanian Cup The Albanian Cup ( sq, Kupa e Shqipërisë) is the main "knockout" competition in Albanian football. The competition started in 1939 as Kupa e Mbretit (English:"The King's Cup"). Just after a year the cup was suspended as the Second World War st ...

!Total , - , 26 , MF , ,

, 3 , 2 , 5 , - , 25 , MF , , Majkel Peci , 0 , 3 , 3 , - , 9 , FW , ,

Grend Halili Grent Refik Halili (born 24 May 1998 in Tiranë) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Throughout his career he has played for Tirana and he is the son of Tirana's owner and president Refik Halili. Club career Ea ...

, 0 , 2 , 2 , - , 7 , MF , ,

, 0 , 1 , 1 , - , 11 , FW , ,

, 1 , 0 , 1 , - , 19 , FW , , Merveille Ndockyt , 1 , 0 , 1 , - bgcolor="F1F1F1" , colspan=4 , TOTAL , 5 , 8 , 13 Last updated: 10 October 2016

Clean sheets

''The list is sorted by shirt number when total appearances are equal.'' {, class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align: center;" , - !width=10, !width=10, !width=200, Player !width=50, Kategoria Superiore !width=50, Albanian Cup !width=50, Total , - , 1 , 1 , align="left",

, 4, , 0, , 4 , - , 2 , 31 , align=left,

, 0, , 1, , 1 , - , colspan="3", TOTALS , 4, , 1, , 5

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:2016-17 KF Tirana season KF Tirana seasons

Tirana Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...