In early February, Bohdan Milovanov signed a three-year contract with the Swedish club Sirius. The 26-year-old Milovanov was born in Luhansk, but when he was five, his family moved to Spain. In the Pyrenees, Milovanov began training at the Madrid Atlético academy, and was with Getafe, Granada, and Sporting Gijón. The last club of the player, who was once called up to the Ukraine U21 national team, was the Portuguese Arouca.
— Bohdane, how do you evaluate your transfer to Sirius?
— The Swedes wanted to see my condition. So I came for a trial for 2-3 days. The coach liked me right away. I trained and negotiations began. In two weeks everything was settled. From the first moment, I liked everything here. Relations with the management and coach are very good, the teammates are great.
— The Swedish championship starts in the spring. What goals does Sirius have?
— We have a good coach, many young talented players. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Everyone is motivated and geared up for a good season. The team's coach promotes interesting football. Some of the coach's ideas are similar to the style of football I played in Spain. The team will also strengthen with experienced players. We want to please our fans and perform well in the championship.
— The Swedish championship is a step forward?
— Yes. I was without a team for a certain time. There was a problem with the agent. They told me one thing, promised, but nothing came of it. I managed to terminate the contract with them on August 15. There were options at the end of the transfer window, but none that I liked. That is why I decided to wait until January for a better offer. It worked out. Sirius is a good option for me. I signed a 3-year contract. I hope to help the team.
— What did you know about Swedish football?
— Not much. I knew the leading teams that play in European cups. I had never been here. They have told me everything. The fans live football.
— You played in Portugal for Arouca. Tell us about that experience?
— I was there for two years. The contract was ending. The club offered to continue cooperation. I was not very satisfied. I came from Spain to play all the matches. There was one player loaned from Braga. I played, but not consistently. I was young; it was necessary to play every match to then move to a stronger club. That is why I decided to terminate the contract with them.
When I played in Spain, the football there is organized. In Portugal, it is more individual. For defenders, it is difficult: I had to get used to it, restructure. It was fine; this is also an experience. If you are doing well, you are sold quickly. We had good seasons. The first season we finished in 5th place and played in the Conference League, then we finished in 7th place.
— There were rumors that you could become a player for Polish Stal. Why didn’t it work out?
— They called me for a trial. I trained with them for a week. The coach wanted me to stay and play.
Before the arrival, they offered one set of conditions. When they offered the contract, it was completely different. They offered more and more, but not what was promised. They knew that I was without a club. So they created pressure. The team went to Spain for training camps. We leave tomorrow, and you think. It all seemed like an ultimatum. I took my things and went home. After that, the option with Sirius came up.
— You are a graduate of the Atlético Madrid school. Tell us more about the Academy of the mattress makers?
— I was there at the age of 11-12. I stayed there for 2 years. A good academy, with all conditions. That’s where I started playing football. I went for a trial, and they took me.
When we arrived in Spain, we had nothing. My parents took any job available to provide for me and my brother. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to play football.
— How difficult is it to build a professional footballer's career in Spain?
— Very hard. It's hard to become a professional footballer in any country. There are so many players who want to go professional. The competition is fierce. In Spain, it is even tougher because the level is high.
I have been there since I was 5 years old. My friends were all playing. I took a bus for 2 hours one way to training. I studied on the bus. It was tough.
— Getafe, Sporting Gijón… How do you evaluate your time in these clubs?
— I was a young player back then. I was 17 years old. I played for the second team of Getafe in Segunda B. Sporting saw me and decided to sign me for the second team. I played there for one and a half seasons and moved up to the first team, where I spent 3 years.
Sporting is a very good club. They have a great training base, 10 training fields, and a kitchen. Everything is at a very high level. Each home game gathers 20-22 thousand spectators. In Portugal, they provided better conditions, so I decided to move forward.
— Recall your performances for the Ukraine U21 national team?
— I have always dreamed of playing for Ukraine. When I was playing for Sporting, I was invited to the U21 team. I played 7 matches and scored one goal. I scored against Malta. At that time, Ruslan Rotan was just starting his first qualifying campaign for Euro. My competitor for the right-back position was Yukhym Konoplia. The team was good. We just lacked a bit of experience. Now I follow Rotan's work at Oleksandriya.
Once I was even in the national team when Andriy Shevchenko was the coach. I spent a week with them.
When I was in Portugal, they wrote that I was being followed. That is why I didn’t take a Spanish passport. I hoped for call-ups to the national team. Now I have decided to take Spanish citizenship. Players need to earn money. This can be done in clubs, not in the national team.
— Half a year without football is difficult?
— I thought it would be hard, but I didn’t think it would be this hard. I am mentally strong. Therefore, I didn’t give up and worked all the time with a personal trainer. I trained with one team in Madrid. I am in better shape now than I was before.
— Are you following the UPL and who do you root for?
— I don’t watch the matches. I follow the players I used to play with. I played with Vasyl Kravtsov at Sporting. He is currently playing in the First League for Metalist-1925.
— You were born in Luhansk. How did you end up in Spain?
— We moved when I was 5 years old. My aunt had lived in Spain for many years. They invited us to join them. My father's sister remained in Luhansk.
Serhiy TYSHCHENKO
