It’s a powerful and interesting story in my career
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
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Shakhtar defender Oleksandr Karavaiev gave his first interview after returning to the club
– Oleksandr, it still feels a bit unusual to see you in an orange shirt, but welcome to Shakhtar! How would you comment on the start of this new chapter in your life?
– Thank you! I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, but it is a new stage, a new chapter in my book, so to speak. Of course, everyone is used to seeing me play for Dynamo, but I'm a graduate of the Shakhtar Academy. And it just so happened that I’m returning to the club after many years. I think it’s a powerful and interesting story in my career.
– Could you have imagined, either when you were still at Shakhtar or even a year ago, that you would become a Shakhtar player in 2026?
– No, certainly not a year ago. Perhaps when I was still at Zorya and out on various loan spells, I hoped that I would return from loan and be able to contribute to Shakhtar. But things turned out differently: Dynamo signed me and I played for Dynamo. When I was in the Shakhtar Academy and approaching graduation, I did think there was a chance of breaking through and playing for the senior team. I joined them for training camps, but I never made an appearance in a competitive match. As time went on, those thoughts became less and less frequent. But for me, this is an indication of something important: when a team that are the champions of the country make you an offer to strengthen their squad, I believe it reflects a great deal of hard work and shows that all of it is noticed.
– Transfers like this always generate a great deal of interest within the football community. Why did you decide to join Shakhtar and what was the key factor in your decision?
– The key factor was that I played very little during the second half of last season. That’s why I made this decision.
– Have you thought about how you will approach the Ukrainian Clasico?
– Not yet, but of course it’s something I can’t avoid. I have great respect for the Dynamo fans because they supported me for seven years. And, of course, I also have great respect for the Shakhtar supporters because I came through the club’s academy. No one here has ever said a bad word about me.
– Have you spoken to your teammates from Dynamo, Shakhtar or the Ukraine national team? Have they had time to joke about it yet?
– Of course, I’ve spoken to the lads from Dynamo because there are players at the club whom I’ve played alongside since the very beginning. Players like Yarmolenko and Buialskyi, with whom I’ve been playing for more than ten years, and Shaparenko, whom I’ve known since the start as well. And when the reports first emerged that there was interest in me, they were asking me about it. I also asked them for advice, and I heard words from them that meant a great deal to me. Those words will always stay with me.
– You are a very experienced player. How do you see your role at Shakhtar now? What goals and objectives have you set for yourself to achieve together with the team?
– I’ve always said that I know my qualities and what I’m capable of, and I know I can help. Of course, I’ll contribute with my experience as well. Shakhtar have a very young squad, and whenever I’m needed, and I’m sure I will be, I’ll step onto the pitch and show everything through my performances.
– What is your biggest dream with Shakhtar?
– To win a European trophy.
– What would you like to say to the Shakhtar supporters?
– I’ll give everything, just as I have done for every club I’ve played for. Be assured that I’ll give more than 100 per cent every time.
– Thank you! I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, but it is a new stage, a new chapter in my book, so to speak. Of course, everyone is used to seeing me play for Dynamo, but I'm a graduate of the Shakhtar Academy. And it just so happened that I’m returning to the club after many years. I think it’s a powerful and interesting story in my career.
– Could you have imagined, either when you were still at Shakhtar or even a year ago, that you would become a Shakhtar player in 2026?
– No, certainly not a year ago. Perhaps when I was still at Zorya and out on various loan spells, I hoped that I would return from loan and be able to contribute to Shakhtar. But things turned out differently: Dynamo signed me and I played for Dynamo. When I was in the Shakhtar Academy and approaching graduation, I did think there was a chance of breaking through and playing for the senior team. I joined them for training camps, but I never made an appearance in a competitive match. As time went on, those thoughts became less and less frequent. But for me, this is an indication of something important: when a team that are the champions of the country make you an offer to strengthen their squad, I believe it reflects a great deal of hard work and shows that all of it is noticed.
– Transfers like this always generate a great deal of interest within the football community. Why did you decide to join Shakhtar and what was the key factor in your decision?
– The key factor was that I played very little during the second half of last season. That’s why I made this decision.
– Have you thought about how you will approach the Ukrainian Clasico?
– Not yet, but of course it’s something I can’t avoid. I have great respect for the Dynamo fans because they supported me for seven years. And, of course, I also have great respect for the Shakhtar supporters because I came through the club’s academy. No one here has ever said a bad word about me.
– Have you spoken to your teammates from Dynamo, Shakhtar or the Ukraine national team? Have they had time to joke about it yet?
– Of course, I’ve spoken to the lads from Dynamo because there are players at the club whom I’ve played alongside since the very beginning. Players like Yarmolenko and Buialskyi, with whom I’ve been playing for more than ten years, and Shaparenko, whom I’ve known since the start as well. And when the reports first emerged that there was interest in me, they were asking me about it. I also asked them for advice, and I heard words from them that meant a great deal to me. Those words will always stay with me.
– You are a very experienced player. How do you see your role at Shakhtar now? What goals and objectives have you set for yourself to achieve together with the team?
– I’ve always said that I know my qualities and what I’m capable of, and I know I can help. Of course, I’ll contribute with my experience as well. Shakhtar have a very young squad, and whenever I’m needed, and I’m sure I will be, I’ll step onto the pitch and show everything through my performances.
– What is your biggest dream with Shakhtar?
– To win a European trophy.
– What would you like to say to the Shakhtar supporters?
– I’ll give everything, just as I have done for every club I’ve played for. Be assured that I’ll give more than 100 per cent every time.