Column by Serhiy Tyshchenko. Dynamo’s Haaland

On December 2, “Zorya” defeated Lviv’s “Karpaty” (2:1) in Kyiv. Eighteen-year-old Fedir Zadorozhny made his debut for the hosts. The striker of “Zorya” played the last 8 minutes of the match.

Fedir Zadorozhny. Photo — FC “Zorya”

Fedir Zadorozhny belongs to Kyiv’s “Dynamo”. He plays for “Zorya” on loan. In the summer, he could not secure a place in “Dynamo U-19”, so he went for playing practice to the youth team of “Zorya”. He faces serious competition from Matviy Ponomarenko, Vladislav Herich, and Vitaliy Lobko.

At “Zorya”, Zadorozhny has revealed himself in a better light. Currently, Fedir is the top scorer of the youth championship. The striker has recorded 18 goals and 7 assists in 14 matches. Scoring with “Zorya” is much more challenging than it is with “Dynamo” and “Shakhtar” because the level of the youth team is not as high.

Zadorozhny is a native of Donetsk. He was raised in the “Dynamo” system. He was once at “Zorya” when the Kyivans went on loan for the entire year of 2006 along with the coach and staff. Since the beginning of 2024, he is again playing on loan for the Luhansk team.

The main feature of the striker is his height. Zadorozhny is around 2 meters tall. He is very coordinated and agile. He can and knows how to use his dimensions. He has a very good goal sense and shot. He can finish with one touch, take free kicks, and long shots. His playing style can be compared to that of “Manchester City” striker Erling Haaland.

Now the entire football world is looking for strikers who have good physique and coordination. Perhaps “Dynamo” will find its Haaland despite everything?

I would also like to draw attention to the importance of playing practice. How important it is to play continuously. Only in this way do you develop. It was the constant playing practice that helped Zadorozhny progress and develop. If he had remained the 3rd or 4th striker in “Dynamo” youth system, there would have been no prospects at all.

Serhiy TYSHCHENKO