Ruslan Malinovskyi Signs with Trabzonspor
Ukrainian midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi has officially joined Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor. The 33-year-old attended his first training session with the squad on July 6, the same day the club kicked off preparations for the 2026/27 season. He has agreed to a three-year contract. In the previous campaign, Malinovskyi played for Italian club Genoa, where he netted 6 goals and provided 3 assists in 35 appearances. After the 2025/26 season ended, he became a free agent.
Trabzonspor's coaching staff is led by Fatih Tekke. The team also features another Ukrainian player, Arseniy Batagov, who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury.
Oleksandr Zubkov Makes Move to AEK Athens
In a separate transfer, Ukrainian winger Oleksandr Zubkov has left Trabzonspor to join Greek powerhouse AEK Athens. The 29-year-old has signed a four-year deal with AEK, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2030. The transfer fee is set at €4 million, with an additional €500,000 in potential bonuses. Trabzonspor also retains a 10% sell-on clause for any future transfer of Zubkov. During the 2025/26 season, he played 37 matches for Trabzonspor, scoring 4 goals and recording 7 assists. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value stands at €6 million.
Malinovskyi's arrival highlights Trabzonspor's active squad overhaul as the club aims to improve its performance in the upcoming season. At the same time, the departure of Zubkov—a key player—could force tactical adjustments from the coaching staff. For AEK, landing Zubkov adds offensive depth, while Trabzonspor benefits financially and secures a stake in his future transfer value, which may prove important for the team's long-term development.