Artem Besedin Calls Time on His Playing Days
Artem Besedin, a former forward for Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team, has officially retired from professional football at the age of 30. The announcement was made by Glavcom, citing Football 24. Besedin recently left the Czech club Artis Brno and is not seeking a new team. A product of the Metalist Kharkiv and Dynamo Kyiv youth systems, he played for Dynamo from 2013 to 2023, making 143 appearances, scoring 35 goals, and providing 13 assists.
During his time at Dynamo, Besedin won the Ukrainian Premier League twice and the Ukrainian Cup once. Beyond Dynamo, his career included stints with:
- Metalist Kharkiv
- Cypriot side Omonia
- Kazakh club Ordabasy
For the Ukraine national team, Besedin earned 19 caps and scored 2 goals. His retirement highlights a shift in Ukrainian club football, where younger players are stepping up while seasoned veterans like Besedin move on to new chapters.
Denys Popov Undergoes Knee Surgery
Meanwhile, Dynamo Kyiv center-back Denys Popov has undergone surgery in Kyiv after suffering a serious knee injury during preseason training. Doctors estimate he will not return to training until October, meaning he will miss the start of the new season. As a result, Dynamo did not include Popov in their squad for the Europa League qualifiers, where they will face Universitatea Cluj-Napoca from Romania. Last season, Popov played 22 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals, but he was sidelined multiple times due to injuries. His absence is a major blow for Dynamo as they prepare for critical European fixtures, potentially impacting their performance in upcoming tournaments.
As Besedin steps away from his playing career, the challenges continue for Dynamo Kyiv, particularly with the recent news of Popov's knee surgery, which will keep him off the pitch until October. This injury not only affects the team's depth but also raises questions about their performance in the upcoming season.