Shakhtar crowned champions of Ukraine as Arda Turan wins title in first season
This victory represents Shakhtar Donetsk's 16th championship in Ukraine, reinforcing the team's standing as the second most accomplished club in the nation's football legacy, trailing the record holders Dynamo Kyiv by a single title with their 17 wins.
Having clinched the league, Shakhtar will make a comeback in the UEFA Champions League, and the team stands a good chance of advancing straight to the group stage, bypassing the qualification matches.
Arda Turan is enjoying an ideal debut campaign as manager, the ex Atletico Madrid and Barcelona star is carving out a reputation as one of Europe's promising new coaches after securing his second league honour, following his earlier success guiding Eyupspor to the top of Turkey's second tier.
Read more: Turan on coaching Shakhtar, playing with Messi & more!
"I congratulate our players, head coach Arda Turan, and our devoted fans on winning the Ukrainian championship," said Sergey Palkin, Shakhtar’s CEO, of the achievement.
"It has been a long and demanding season for all of us, and we are proud to see the golden shine of the medals reflected in Shakhtar’s orange-and-black colours.
"This title is the reward for hard work, character, unity, and belief. I would like to thank everyone who stood by the club throughout the season, club President Rinat Akhmetov, the team, the staff, and our supporters around the world," he added.
Click here to read an interview with Shakhtar CEO Palkin
The campaign kicked off with notable departures, as two important players left for other clubs. Kevin joined Fulham in the Premier League, while Georgiy Sudakov moved to Benfica in Portugal.
Brazilian talents again proved vital for the side in the league effort. Over the course of the season, 12 of them appeared for Shakhtar across home and continental fixtures.
The team shone in the UEFA Conference League, placing sixth during the league stage, then progressing deep into the semi finals, only to fall to Crystal Palace with a 5-2 aggregate defeat.
Back in the home competition, they suffered only one loss and netted far more goals than rivals in a commanding performance overall.