Mykyta Kravchenko has made a surprising return to "Polissia" Zhytomyr, just one year after leaving the club for "Oleksandria." The defender admitted he never expected to be back so soon but was warmly welcomed by everyone at his former club.
"When I signed with Oleksandria, my wife and I couldn't even imagine that a year later I would be back here. It was pleasant. There was some excitement. I liked that everyone greeted me warmly, with smiles – as if I had returned home," Kravchenko told the club's press service.
The player's previous stint at "Polissia" wasn't entirely smooth sailing. He played regularly for only half a season, which has made him cautious about fan expectations this time around.
"My first year at Polissia was ambiguous. I can't say it was a good year, so I don't expect excessive joy from the fans. But I understand this and hope I can regain their trust," he explained.
Interestingly, Kravchenko cannot immediately help his new-old team in their upcoming European fixtures. The defender is ineligible for "Polissia's" Conference League qualification matches against Santa Coloma because he was already registered with "Oleksandria" for the competition.
The 27-year-old defender spoke highly of the coaching staff at "Polissia," emphasizing their attention to detail. "The coaches are very meticulous about small things – habits that seem unimportant. For example, a pass to the wrong foot or incorrect position on the field. But these details are very important," he noted.
Reflecting on his time at "Oleksandria," Kravchenko shared mixed feelings about last season's silver medal finish. The team came close to winning gold, creating a bittersweet experience for the players.
"We were very happy when we secured second place. You could see how small the point difference was at the end of the season. It doesn't happen very often in life, and it wasn't very pleasant that we didn't take advantage of this opportunity to win gold," he admitted.
Kravchenko now faces the challenge of adapting to his new environment and helping "Polissia" recover from their 1:2 defeat to Santa Coloma in the first leg of their Conference League qualification tie. Can the returning defender make an immediate impact? We'll soon find out as "Polissia" prepares for Thursday's crucial second leg match.
