Now the former defender of Dynamo Kyiv, Ilya Zabarny, gave his first interview as a player of the English Bournemouth.
Ilya Zabarny— I am very glad to be here. In the last couple of days, it was not easy to realize that just yesterday I was playing for Dynamo, and now I am at Bournemouth. In this situation, I am very glad that I have already met the team and teammates. It is very important for me.
- They don't play football in Ukraine now, right?
— Yes, we trained at the training camp in Turkey, held control matches before the resumption of the Ukrainian championship.
- Why did you choose "Bournemouth" among all the offers?
- Moving to such a club is hard for me, because I played only in Ukraine. This is my first foreign team. But I wanted to play in the English Premier League. Yes, playing here is hard work and a tight game. But for me, this championship is the best of the best.
— Did you communicate with any of the Ukrainian football players playing in the Premier League before moving to Bournemouth?
- Yes. First of all, with my friend, Vitaly Mikolenko, with whom we played Dynamo. We have a great relationship, he is glad to see me here.
- How would you describe yourself as a player?
- Well, I don't know... Perhaps as a smart player. In any case, I aspire to be one. I'm only 20 years old, I have to restrain my emotions. I want to help the team.
- Last year, you played for the Ukrainian national team against the Wales national team, where, among others, you were opposed by Kieffer Moore. And now he is your teammate.
— It was a good day and match. I know that there are Wales players at Bournemouth. Anyone has to work hard to contain them.
— Tell us about the war in Ukraine.
“There is a real war in Ukraine now. This is very difficult for all Ukrainians and, in particular, football players. Yes, I am Ukrainian, now in England. But for me, it is important for me that looking at me here, people remember the Ukrainians and the war in Ukraine.
It's all very hard. All this time I lived in Kyiv. It may be safer in this city than in other places in Ukraine, but Kharkiv, Kherson and other Ukrainian cities are attacked by Russians every day. They kill our people, children and women. This is bad. The whole world needs to know about it
- Was it hard for you to leave your family, relatives, friends in Ukraine and move to England?
— Yes, it was a difficult decision, but necessary for me. Among other things, I strive to ensure that more people in the world hear about Ukrainians.
— What do you like to do besides football?
— I like to play computer games with my friends. But a little, just a little. I also like to walk with my future wife. This is the best holiday for me.
- What would you like to say to Dynamo fans now?
- I want to tell them that although I am happy to be here, it was very hard for me to leave Dynamo, because this is the team I have been in since childhood. Together we went forward step by step. Dynamo is my family. Thank you for what this club has done for me. I am very happy to be a part of this family.
— What would you say to Bournemouth fans?
- I'm here. I'm ready. Ready to play and I want to play. This is a very good club and team. For me, this is a good step in my career. See you guys!
