Everything you need to know about Ukraine and Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk!
Mykhailo Mudryk is a Ukrainian professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the Ukraine national team. He was born on January 5, 2001, in Krasnohrad, Ukraine.
Mudryk began his football journey at Metalist Kharkiv in 2010, before switching to Dnipro's academy four years later in 2014. Due to his impressive performances, Ukraine Premier League giants Shakhtar Donetsk took interest in him and he joined their academy in 2016.
During the 2018-19 season, Mudryk was promoted to Shakhtar Donetsk's senior team, however after a single appearance he was shifted on loan to fellow league side Arsenal Kyiv for the rest of the season. The next few campaigns saw him sporadically appear for Shakhtar before again going on loan to Desna Chernihiv in the summer of 2020.
It was under manager Roberto De Zerbi that Mudryk found his footing and finally got his breakthrough. During the 2022-23 season, the winger showed the football world how talented he is, scoring 10 goals in 18 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk. As a result, he was also awarded Ukrainian Footballer of the Year and Shakhtar's Player of the Year awards.
Due to his impressive performances, Mudryk began gaining attraction from European giants. On January 15, 2023, the winger signed for Chelsea for a fee of €70m (which could rise to €100m) which saw him become the most expensive Ukrainian player of all time and the most expensive transfer in the history of the Ukrainian Premier League.
Mudryk made his official debut for the Ukraine national team on June 1, 2022, in a World Cup qualifier against Scotland which his side won 3-1. Since then he has made nine appearances for his country, failing to open his account for them.
Here are 13 fun facts about Mykhailo Mudryk you need to know.
Afraid of the dark
Like many young children, the Chelsea winger was afraid of the dark and had trouble sleeping as a child. Whenever he would close his eyes he would imagine demons and other scary stuff.
However, Mudryk's grandmother had a pivotal role in helping the young lad overcome his fear. She told him to pray and sign the cross before sleeping, which would ensure that he is protected from all evil when he closes his eyes and goes to sleep.
AdvertisementNicknamed Misha
For family and friends, Mudryk is known as "Misha" which means someone who resembles God. The nickname is very common in Ukraine and is often given by loved ones to young children.
GettyReligious tattoos
By now it is clear Mudryk is devout based on the tattoos on his body. The first is the tattoo with the words "Only Jesus" on his neck. On his chest Mudryk has a tattoo which translates as "Dear God, if today I lose my hope, please remind me that your plans are better than my dreams".
The most expensive Ukrainian footballer
When the winger moves to Chelsea for a fee of €70m (rising to €100m) in 2023, Mudryk not only became the most expensive transfer in the history of the Ukrainian Premier League but also the most expensive Ukrainian player of all time.
While he will have to do much to live up to the expectations of his price tag, Shakhtar Donetsk Director of Football Darijo Srna believes he is the best winger in the world after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and PSG ace Kylian Mbappe.