Oleksandr Pikhalenok: "It won't take much time to adapt to Dynamo"

Attacking midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalonok shared his first impressions after signing a contract with Dynamo Kyiv, which was officially announced yesterday:

- I can't say that the offer from Dynamo came as a surprise to me, because there was interest from Kyiv in previous transfer windows. Before, there were no specifics, everything was at the level of rumors, but now Dynamo has made a concrete offer, and I am very happy to join the Kyiv club.

I took four or five days to think about it before signing the contract. There was a certain situation with Shakhtar, certain issues had to be agreed with Dnipro-1. In general, there was a lot to think about, so it took me so long.

Since I am familiar with many Dynamo players, I think it won't take much time to adapt. I played with the guys in the national team, played against them in the league, and defended the colors of Dnipro-1 together with Dubinchak, so I hope I will adapt quickly in the team.

I'm looking forward to playing against Shakhtar as part of Dynamo. Games against the Shakhtar are always important because I am a graduate of the Donetsk club. To put it mildly, I didn't do well at Shakhtar, and when I go on the field now, I make every effort to show them how they made a mistake earlier.

I also really want to play with the White and Blues in the Champions League. Although I understand that it will be extremely difficult, as we will have to start from the second qualifying round.

Having not received a call-up to the Ukrainian national team, I have time to rest after the season and prepare for a new challenge in my career. Although, I will not be honest, I really wanted to go to Euro 2024. But I respect the decision of the national team coach, realizing that I had an injury, which probably influenced the decision not to call me up. I will gain my best condition and prove my right to play for the national team through my performances with Dynamo.