Oleksiy Hutsulyak Leaves Polissya
Ukrainian footballer Oleksiy Hutsulyak has ended his stint with Zhytomyr-based Polissya after declining to renew his contract. As of July 1, he became a free agent following the conclusion of his stay with the club, which he joined ahead of the 2024/25 season. During the 2025/26 campaign, Hutsulyak made 31 appearances across all competitions, netting nine goals and providing seven assists. He also maintained strong form in his last ten outings for the Ukrainian national team, scoring five times and adding three assists.
Ukrainian Premier League 2026/27 Season Calendar Released
Alongside the news about Hutsulyak, the schedule for the 2026/27 Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) season has been unveiled. The opening round is set for August 1. The first matchday will feature the following fixtures:
- Kryvbas vs. Karpaty
- Bukovyna vs. LNZ
- Dynamo vs. Livyi Bereh
- Zorya vs. Kolos
- Kharkiv vs. Veres
- Kudrivka vs. Shakhtar
- Chornomorets vs. Polissya
- Epitsentr vs. Obolon
Highly anticipated clashes between Shakhtar and Dynamo are scheduled for matchdays 12 and 27. The first encounter between these two sides is tentatively set for November 7, with the return leg on May 15.
Additionally, the UPL has recognized top coaches from the 2008/09 season through 2025/26. Shakhtar's Mircea Lucescu has received seven awards as the league's best manager. Recently, Kharkiv's Metalist 1925 underwent a rebrand, shortening its name to simply 'Kharkiv'.
In the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Dynamo secured the Ukrainian Cup by defeating Chernihiv in the final. Buyalsky scored a brace, while Yarmolenko added the third goal.
I'm glad I could help the club grow and be part of a historic achievement—Polissya's first bronze medals in the UPL. I believe even greater success lies ahead for the club. I'm grateful for this chapter, but it's time to move on.
Oleksiy Hutsulyak
Hutsulyak's departure marks a significant moment for Polissya, a club still establishing itself in the upper tiers of Ukrainian football. He leaves a notable legacy, having helped the team secure bronze medals—a major milestone for Polissya. Meanwhile, the upcoming UPL season promises excitement, featuring key matchups between top contenders like Shakhtar and Dynamo.
As Polissya navigates this transition, the club is not only bidding farewell to Hutsulyak but also dealing with the departure of Lednev. This reshuffling raises questions about the team's strategy moving forward. For more insights on these changes and their implications for Polissya, check out our detailed coverage on Polissya's roster adjustments.