Though Shakhtar failed to retain the league or cup, they made up for it by becoming the first Ukrainian team to win the UEFA Cup, defeating Werder Bremen in the final after extra time.

On 28 May 2008, Shakhtar Donetsk announced the signing of Marcelo Moreno from Cruzeiro on a five-year contract.

[1] On the same day, Shakhtar also announced the signing of Oleksandr Chyzhov from Vorskla Poltava.

[2] In January 2009, Shakhtar Donetsk sold Brandão to Marseille for a fee of €6,000,000.

[3] On 9 February, Leonardo signed a new contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, until 28 June 2013, and joined Vasco da Gama on loan until 30 November 2009.