Football Club Polissya Bolsters Squad with New Signings
Polissya has completed the permanent transfer of Cape Verdean winger Leandro Andrade from Azerbaijani side Qarabag. The 26-year-old, who also holds Portuguese citizenship, has signed a contract running through June 2029 and will wear the number 11 jersey.
Andrade brings a wealth of experience, having played 213 matches for Qarabag, scoring 60 goals and providing 61 assists. Since 2022, he has been a regular call-up for the Cape Verde national team, earning 7 caps and participating in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Maxim Braharu's Contract Buyout
In a separate move, Polissya has exercised a buyout clause to acquire winger Maxim Braharu from Dynamo Kyiv permanently. Braharu's contract also runs until the summer of 2029. Last season, he played for Polissya on loan from Dynamo, featuring in 26 matches and recording eight goal contributions—4 goals and 4 assists.
- Transfermarkt values the 23-year-old Braharu at €1.5 million.
- During his time with Dynamo, he appeared in 27 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist.
- Braharu won the Ukrainian Premier League gold medal with Dynamo in the 2024/2025 season.
Polissya recently secured bronze medals in the 2025/26 UPL season and is preparing for the Conference League qualifiers, where they will face Copenhagen on July 23 and 30. The team's first match of the new 2026/27 UPL season is against Chornomorets on August 1.
The signings of Leandro Andrade and the permanent acquisition of Maxim Braharu highlight Polissya's strategic approach to strengthening the squad ahead of the new campaign.
Both players bring high-level experience, which could prove crucial in their Conference League qualifying campaign. These squad enhancements, amid stiff competition in the UPL, underscore the club's ambitions on the international stage.
As Polissya prepares for the upcoming season, the team's focus shifts to their upcoming matches, including a crucial encounter against Copenhagen in the Conference League qualifiers. This clash promises to be pivotal for the club's ambitions, especially with new talents like the recent signings enhancing the squad's depth. The integration of experienced players like Andrade and Braharu could play a significant role in their performance on the international stage.