Ivan Kaljuzhnyi Signs Contract Extension
FC Kharkiv has secured Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Kaljuzhnyi on an extended deal, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2030. Kaljuzhnyi originally returned to FC Kharkiv—then known as Metalist 1925—from Oleksandriia in June 2025. Over the past season, he made 31 appearances across the Ukrainian league and cup competitions, tallying 3 goals and 3 assists. Since 2024, he has also been a member of the Ukrainian national team, earning 14 caps and scoring once in World Cup 2026 qualifying against Iceland.
New Signings and Club Ambitions
In addition, FC Kharkiv has announced the signing of Venezuelan forward Carlos Paraco. The 22-year-old has inked a three-year contract with an option for an additional season. Paraco will wear the number 10 jersey for his new side. The transfer fee is estimated between €1 million and €1.5 million. Last season, he played for Kryvbas, featuring in 30 matches, netting 8 goals, and providing 3 assists. Transfermarkt values him at €1.5 million.
FC Kharkiv has also acquired midfielder Oleksandr Yatsyk from Kyiv’s Dynamo. Yatsyk signed a four-year deal with Mladen Bartulović’s squad, with the transfer costing Kharkiv approximately €2.5 million. He will wear the number 8 shirt for his new team.
FC Kharkiv will kick off its first season following a rebranding with a home match against Veres in the Ukrainian Premier League. The tentative date for the opening round of the UPL is set for August 1.
The extension of Kaljuzhnyi’s contract reflects the club’s long-term strategy focused on stability and team development.
The acquisitions of players like Paraco and Yatsyk underscore FC Kharkiv’s intent to strengthen its roster and improve performance in the upcoming season. These moves could significantly impact the club’s results in the Ukrainian Premier League, in turn boosting fan and media interest in the team.
As FC Kharkiv prepares for the upcoming season, their recent signings, including Venezuelan forward Carlos Paraco and Dynamo Kyiv's Oleksandr Yatsyk, illustrate a clear strategy to enhance the squad's competitiveness. To understand how these new additions might influence the team's performance, you can read more about the latest transfers here.