Igor Neves Departs as Carpathians Lose Their Star Player

Lviv's Karpaty Undergo Squad Shake-Up

According to Главком: Brazilian forward Igor Neves is leaving Lviv-based Karpaty. He had been with the club since the summer of 2023, making 73 appearances, scoring 16 goals, and providing 7 assists during his tenure. In the 2025/26 season, Neves played 15 matches, netting two goals and adding one assist. Over the last six months, he was on loan at Rukh, where he played 13 games and also scored twice. According to Transfermarkt, Neves is valued at €800,000.

Karpaty finished the 2025/26 season in 9th place in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) with 41 points from 30 matchdays. During this period, the squad saw several changes, highlighted by the transfers of two other players:

• Nazar Domchak moved to Czech club Slavia for €5 million, making it the most expensive transfer in Karpaty's history. The 19-year-old goalkeeper debuted for Karpaty's reserve team in the Ukrainian Second League in August 2023, and his first match for the senior squad came in the 2025/26 season, during the UPL's opening round. That season, he played 27 matches, keeping 14 clean sheets-ranking him among the UPL's top three goalkeepers for shutouts. Last year, Domchak also made his debut for Ukraine's U-19 and U-21 national teams.
• Babucarr Faal is also leaving Karpaty, transferring to Czech side Viktoria Plzeň for €3 million, which ranks as the club's second most expensive transfer ever. Faal joined Karpaty in the winter of 2026, playing 10 matches, scoring 2 goals, and delivering 4 assists.

In the 2025/26 season, Slavia won the Czech championship and secured a direct spot in the Champions League group stage, while Viktoria finished 3rd in the Czech league and earned a place in the Europa League qualifiers.

These moves highlight an active transfer market strategy by the clubs, which could impact their prospects in upcoming seasons.

Karpaty's roster changes may stem from a desire to improve performance after a mid-table UPL finish. At the same time, successful sales of players like Domchak and Faal could provide the club with extra financial resources to strengthen the squad. This trend also underscores the growing appeal of Ukrainian players abroad, potentially boosting football development back home.

As Karpaty navigates through a significant squad overhaul, the departure of Igor Neves is not the only notable transfer. The club also witnessed the movement of talented goalkeeper Nazar Domchak, who has made headlines with his transfer to Slavia Prague for €5 million. This shift marks a pivotal moment for both the player and the club, showcasing the evolving landscape of the Ukrainian Premier League.