Ukrainian newcomer to the Spanish “Villarreal”, goalkeeper Yakov Kinaryekin, talked about his transfer to this club from Lviv’s “Karpaty”.
— What was your reaction when you learned about the offer, and how long did it take for you to decide to move to “Villarreal”?
— I didn’t think long because there was no time for reflection — I had to make a decision here and now. The reaction was quite calm: I understood that this was the next step that would help me in the future.
— Were there any other transfer offers?
— There was no specific information from other clubs.
— How were you welcomed at the new club? What did they say about your transfer?
— They welcomed me very warmly. I am a foreigner to everyone, and everyone is curious — what and how. They asked about Ukraine, how things are there, and they are also interested in the war. They helped with everything they could — I already feel much more comfortable.
— How do you evaluate the training process at the club? How does it differ from Ukrainian clubs?
— The training process is very intense: gym every day. Here, they emphasize both physical training and tactics — there is both. The approach to work is also different: there are no trainings before home matches, and we work a lot in the gym, and then on the field.
— How is your adaptation going in Spain?
— Adaptation is proceeding gradually, as it should. I am not rushing things, so it won’t be hard later. In general, everything has its time — I understand that, and that’s the main thing.
— We know that you will spend this season with the second team of “Villarreal”. How do you evaluate the goalkeepers of the first team and are you ready to compete with them?
— The goalkeepers in the club are of very high level. This inspires me to work to become a competitor to them.
— Do you keep in touch with former teammates from “Karpaty”? How did they react to your transfer?
— I keep in touch with both players and coaches. I know that my close people in “Karpaty” were very happy for me and pleasantly surprised.
Vladimir Varukha