Victories and New Contracts in Ukrainian Football
Ukrainian midfielder Maksym Zaderaka has inked a two-year deal with FC Bukovina Chernivtsi, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. The 31-year-old, who will wear the number 20 jersey, previously played for several clubs, including:
- Donetsk Metalurh
- Oleksandriya
- Armenian club Ararat
- Kharkiv-based Metalist 1925
- Kryvbas since 2022
During his time at Kryvbas, Zaderaka appeared in 106 matches across all competitions, netting 19 goals and providing 11 assists. This signing marks a key step for a club aiming to strengthen its roster for upcoming challenges.
Foreign Star Earns Top Honor
Meanwhile, Venezuelan winger Gleiker Mendoza has been named the Ukrainian Premier League's Player of the Season. The 24-year-old played the 2025/26 campaign with Kryvbas before signing for Shakhtar Donetsk in the spring. In the Ukrainian championship, he featured in 28 games, scoring 11 goals and delivering 11 assists.
Mendoza becomes the fifth foreign player to earn this UPL accolade and the first Venezuelan to do so. Previous winners include:
- Dario Srna (twice)
- Willian (once)
- Taison (once)
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan (once)
These latest achievements highlight growing competition and development within Ukrainian football, as both domestic and international talent continue to raise the league's profile.
Signing Maksym Zaderaka could reflect a strategic effort by FC Bukovina Chernivtsi to bolster their squad ahead of upcoming competitions.
Source: Club news
With Zaderaka's experience, the club hopes to improve its performance in the league. At the same time, Gleiker Mendoza's recognition as the season's best player underscores the increasing impact of foreign athletes in Ukrainian football and highlights a trend toward greater integration of international players into the national championship. This development could positively influence the growth of young Ukrainian footballers, who now have opportunities to learn from more seasoned colleagues.
As FC Bukovina Chernivtsi looks to strengthen its lineup, the departure of Maksym Zaderaka from Kryvbas as a free agent marks a significant shift in the league. His transition reflects a broader trend of player movements that can impact team dynamics and competition levels. For more details on Zaderaka's exit from Kryvbas, read about his departure as a free agent.