Two Former Kudrivka Midfielders Join Oleksandriya

Oleksandriya Bolsters Squad with New Signings

According to Главком: Ukrainian club Oleksandriya has added two midfielders to its roster, bringing in Andriy Storchous and Oleksandr Kozak as free agents following their time with Kudrivka. Storchous, who netted 12 goals last season, finished as the second-highest scorer in the Ukrainian Premier League, trailing only Matviy Ponomarenko. Meanwhile, Kozak contributed four goals during his stint with Kudrivka, showcasing solid form.

After falling short in the promotion playoffs-losing 1-1 and 0-1 to Kyiv-based Livyi Bereh-Oleksandriya will compete in the Ukrainian First League this upcoming season. Head coach Volodymyr Sharan remains at the helm, aiming to guide the team back to the top flight.

UPL Award Winners and Other League Updates

In other Ukrainian football news, the UPL has announced its annual award winners. The Best Young Player award was first presented for the 2010/11 season, while the Best Coach honor dates back to 2008/09. Mircea Lucescu holds the record for the most Best Coach awards, having claimed the prize seven times.

• Kharkiv-based Metalist 1925 has rebranded, changing its name to simply Kharkiv.
• In the 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup final, Dynamo defeated Chernihiv, with Buyalsky scoring twice and Yarmolenko adding a third goal.

The arrivals of Storchous and Kozak are expected to significantly strengthen Oleksandriya’s midfield, a key priority as the club pushes for promotion back to the Premier League. Given their recent playoff struggles, Sharan appears focused on reinforcing the squad to achieve his objectives in the upcoming campaign. At the same time, the UPL awards highlight the role of individual achievements in the broader development of Ukrainian football. Metalist 1925’s rebranding may signal a fresh strategy to engage fans and strengthen the club’s brand presence on the national stage.

As Oleksandriya strengthens its squad with the addition of Storchous and Kozak, the broader landscape of Ukrainian football continues to evolve. Recently, Shakhtar's acquisition of a promising young talent for a significant fee underscores the increasing investment in youth development across the league. This trend not only highlights the competitive nature of the UPL but also reflects the clubs’ ambitions to build strong teams for future success.