The Ukrainian goalkeeper of the Saudi “Al-Shabab” Georgiy Bushchan talked about how his transfer to this club from Kyiv’s “Dynamo” took place, as well as shared his impressions of the Saudi Arabian championship.
Georgiy Bushchan“This transfer was unexpected even for me. This winter, in this transfer window, I wasn’t planning to go anywhere, I was focused on the preparations of “Dynamo”. Prior to that, in every transfer window, I dreamed of moving somewhere, going somewhere, playing in a decent championship, trying my skills in a stronger league. But there were no such offers because teams in Europe viewed me as too old, and they needed to pay money for me. Therefore, I was not interesting for clubs like other footballers. I am not 20 years old and not 25. Transfers like mine happen when a team needs a ready goalkeeper.
That’s why I wasn’t expecting anything in this transfer window. But at some point, Vadim called me (Vadim Shablii, Bushchan’s agent — ed.) and said that there was such an offer. I said: “Let’s do it.” He said: “We need to negotiate with the president of the club.” I replied: “Well, let’s.” (Laughs).
But everything was fine, they were accommodating. This was an opportunity for me. The president was willing to help me because I did something for the club, I spent so many years there. Besides, there was a ready goalkeeper behind me who could replace me and there wouldn’t be any difference in goals (referring to Ruslan Neshcheret, — ed.).
Also, Andriy Mykolayovych Yarmolenko played a part in this: he communicated with the president of the club and insisted on my position. Of course, I also spoke with the president. The negotiations lasted for about 2-3 weeks, and I left. It was very emotional.
As for the Saudi Arabian championship, the intensity here is not as high as in Europe because the weather conditions are a bit difficult. The air here is very dry. When I arrived, the temperature was plus 25-26, but because of this dry air, my skin on my lips and body cracked. Recently we played in Jeddah, and the humidity was 80% with an air temperature of plus 38. It was a bit hot.
What is the level of the championship? What I feel is a solid Europa League level, 100%. Unfortunately, this championship is stronger than the championship of Ukraine, the difference in quality is noticeable, and there is a presence of high-level footballers who make appropriate decisions on the football field. The attackers here in every team are “lively”. So you have to be ready all the time. In each match, I have at least 2-3 one-on-one situations. The championship is very technical, both locals and legionnaires play technically here. The atmosphere at every stadium is also great,” said Bushchan on the YouTube channel of the famous Ukrainian commentator Georgiy Bushchan.
