Kharkiv Football Club Emerges as Metalist 1925 Rebrands

New Name and Brand Overhaul

According to Главком: During the offseason, Kharkiv's football club Metalist 1925 announced it will be rebranded as FC Kharkiv. The transformation includes a fresh logo and updated club colors. While the revamped club will maintain ties to Metalist 1925, it will not lay claim to the history of the team that competed in the top division between 2005 and 2009. The decade-long legacy of Metalist 1925, however, will be preserved in the new club's records.

Metalist 1925 was founded in 2016 on the remnants of Kharkiv's original Metalist club. Its core consisted of graduates from the "blue-yellow" academy. The number "1925" in its name referenced the founding year of Kharkiv's most famous football institution. In the 2025/26 season, Metalist 1925 finished fifth in the Premier League with 51 points under head coach Mladen Bartulović.

Investments and Achievements

The club's primary investor is the cryptocurrency exchange WhiteBIT. Meanwhile, players from Kyiv's Dynamo also made headlines in Ukrainian football. Forward Ponomarenko became the Premier League's top scorer this season, netting 13 goals in 15 matches. Dynamo also clinched the 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup by defeating Chernihiv in the final. In that match, midfielder Buyalsky scored a brace, while winger Yarmolenko added the third goal.

The renaming and rebranding of FC Metalist 1925 to FC Kharkiv signals the club's ambition to grow and adapt to the evolving landscape of Ukrainian football. It's worth noting that despite the name change, the club intends to retain its history, which could positively shape its image among supporters. In today's football environment, where branding and marketing are crucial, such moves may help attract new fans and investments.

As FC Kharkiv embarks on this new chapter, it's essential to consider the recent changes within the squad that may impact the team's performance. In a significant move, Metalist 1925 has parted ways with six players, signaling a major overhaul that aligns with the club's rebranding efforts. These developments highlight the club's determination to build a competitive team for the upcoming season.