Shakhtar Signs U-19 Record-Breaker to Five-Year Deal

Contract Extension for Mohamadu Kante

According to Главком: Donetsk Shakhtar has announced a five-year contract extension with Gambian forward Mohamadu Kante, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2031. Kante joined the Shakhtar Academy in 2024 and played for the U-19 team during the 2025/26 season. That campaign saw him win a gold medal and finish as the top scorer of the National U-19 League with 28 goals in 28 matches-an absolute record for Ukraine's youth championship. This achievement underscores the club's commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan emphasized the importance of young prospects for the club's future. As part of preparations for the upcoming season, the team also unveiled new home and away kits for the 2026/27 campaign.

Summer Training Camp Roster

Additionally, Shakhtar has revealed a 34-player squad for its summer training camp. The list includes four new signings:

• Oleksandr Karavaev
• Ryan Roberto
• Bruninho
• Gleiker Mendoza

Georgiy Gocholeishvili has returned to the squad after a loan spell. The team is scheduled to play four friendly matches during the camp in Slovenia.

Goalkeepers called up for the camp include:

• Dmytro Riznyk
• Denys Tvardovskyi
• Kyrylo Fesyun
• Rostyslav Bahlay

The defensive lineup features:

• Diego Arroyo
• Marlon Santos
• Valeriy Bondar
• Georgiy Gocholeishvili
• Pedro Henrique
• Irakli Azarov
• Vinicius Tobias
• Alaa Grama
• Oleksandr Karavaev
• Mykola Matviyenko

Midfielders in the squad are:

• Marlon Gomes
• Eguinaldo
• Dmytro Kryskiv
• Pedrinho
• Neverton
• Izaki
• Lucas Ferreira
• Artem Bondarenko
• Viktor Tsukanov
• Oleh Ocheretko
• Yehor Nazaryna
• Alisson
• Denys Smetana
• Prosper Obah
• Ryan Roberto
• Gleiker Mendoza
• Bruninho

The forwards selected are:

• Lassina Traore
• Kauan Elias
• Luka Meirelles

Shakhtar continues to actively shape its squad ahead of the new season, with a strong focus on youth development and building depth for both domestic and international competitions.

Extending Mohamadu Kante's contract reflects Shakhtar's strategic approach to cultivating young players, which could boost the team's performance in the years ahead.

Pre-season preparations not only involve integrating new arrivals but also strengthening the core roster, setting the stage for ambitious goals in league and European campaigns.

As Shakhtar continues to bolster its roster with promising talent, the club recently made headlines by securing an 18-year-old Brazilian player for €9 million. This strategic move highlights Shakhtar's commitment to developing a diverse and competitive squad. To learn more about this exciting addition to the team, read about the club's latest signing.