Defender of Kyiv’s “Dynamo” Oleksandr Syrota, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Israeli “Maccabi” from Haifa, clearly explained whether he intends to return to his basic club.
— Oleksandr, there is a lot of conflicting information around you now, so let’s finally clarify everything specifically. It’s currently the off-season, where are you: in Ukraine, Israel, or resting by the seas?
— I am currently in Israel.
— How did you experience the massive rocket attack from Iran on June 14? I have a friend in Bat Yam, and he told me that many homes in Israel have mamads, special rooms, a kind of shelter in case of bombings. Do you have a mini-bomb shelter in your place?
— Yes. In Israel, almost all apartments have special protective rooms-shelters, I also have one in mine.
— Up until June 30, you are still a player for “Maccabi”. Right or wrong?
— Yes, the loan agreement with “Maccabi” (Haifa) ends on June 30.
— There was information in Israeli media that you are not even considering the option of returning to Kyiv. Is this insider information made up?
— Many Ukrainian and Israeli journalists spread the information that I do not want to return to Kyiv. This is complete nonsense. I have family and friends there. How can I not want to go to Kyiv? I am a player of “Dynamo”. Right now, my agents are talking with the club’s management, figuring out when exactly I will join the team.
— Are you ready to compete for a place in the squad against Mykhavka, Popov, Diachuk, and Igor Surkis’s son Bilovar?
— Of course, I am ready for competition.
— Is it true that “Lechia” from Gdańsk showed interest in you? By the way, there are as many as five Ukrainians playing there, including Anton Tsarenko, who is well known to you. Were there any other offers from clubs in Europe?
— There is interest from other clubs, but not from those that our journalists wrote about.
— How do you generally evaluate the last season: for “Maccabi” in general, for you in particular?
— We didn’t fulfill the management’s tasks, but we also didn’t leave empty-handed (bronze medals of the Israeli Premier League). Personally, for me, the season was good; I played 26 matches and scored two goals.
— After moving to Israel, you stopped being called up to the national team of Ukraine. Are these things related or not?
— I don’t know if my move to Israel is related to me not being called up... But I am ready to go to the national team at any moment.
— Did you follow “Dynamo” in the last season?
— Yes, of course, I followed “Dynamo”, watched the matches, and I am very glad that the guys became champions.
— Is the championship deserving?
— Absolutely! Last season, “Dynamo” won the gold medals of the UPL completely deservedly.
— What is your relationship with Shovkovskiy? Have you talked to him during the off-season?
— I have a good relationship with Oleksandr Volodymyrovych, but I haven’t spoken to Shovkovskiy yet.
Victor Glukhentiy