Bruninho’s Move to Maccabi Haifa
Bruninho, a midfielder for Ukrainian side Karpaty, has officially joined Israeli club Maccabi Haifa on a three-year contract. The transfer fee paid to Karpaty amounts to €1.6 million. During his two seasons in Ukraine, the Brazilian made a strong impression and established himself as a key player.
In the past season, Bruninho appeared in 27 matches across all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing five assists. Overall, he played 52 games for Karpaty, netting 17 goals and registering eight assists.
Bruninho: 'From now on, you’ll have one more fan in Brazil. I’ll follow the club from afar, cheer for the team’s success, and hope this club continues to grow and achieve everything it deserves. Thank you sincerely for everything!'
UPL News and Coach Awards
Additionally, the schedule for the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) 2026/27 season has been released, with the opening round set to begin on August 1. The first matchday includes the following fixtures:
- 'Kryvbas' – 'Karpaty'
- 'Bukovyna' – 'LNZ'
- 'Dynamo' – 'Livyi Bereh'
- 'Zorya' – 'Kolos'
- 'Kharkiv' – 'Veres'
- 'Kudrivka' – 'Shakhtar'
- 'Chornomorets' – 'Polissia'
- 'Epitsentr' – 'Obolon'
The results of the UPL’s best coach awards, dating back to the 2008/09 season, have also been revealed. Mircea Lucescu leads with the most honors, having been named top coach six times and also receiving the award for the 2020/21 season. Notably, the Kharkiv-based club 'Metalist 1925' has undergone a rebranding, changing its name to 'Kharkiv'.
In a final highlight, Dynamo Kyiv won the Ukrainian Cup in the 2025/26 season, defeating the team 'Chernihiv' in the final. In that match, midfielder Buyalsky scored a brace, while winger Yarmolenko added the third goal.
Bruninho’s transfer to Maccabi Haifa highlights a growing trend of Ukrainian players moving abroad, reflecting increased international interest in Ukrainian football. Meanwhile, the upcoming UPL season promises excitement with its scheduled matches, coach awards, and club rebranding, signaling dynamic development across the league.
As Maccabi Haifa strengthens its squad with the addition of Bruninho, Karpaty continues to make strategic moves in the transfer market, recently signing forward Rusyn. This shift in player dynamics is crucial as the Ukrainian Premier League gears up for the upcoming season. For more details on Karpaty's latest signings and the full UPL schedule, check out this article on Karpaty's recent acquisitions and fixtures.