Zinchenko Became Champion Twice With A Youth Contract – “City’s Lawyers Said: Trust Us”

Arsenal professional looks back

Oleksandr Zinchenko once moved from FK Ufa to the glorious Premier League at the age of 19. When Manchester City under new coach Pep Guardiola secured the services of the Ukrainian talent for 2.25 million euros in the summer of 2016, Borussia Dortmund were also said to be interested in the left-footed player. Although Zinchenko was said to have been promised a well-paid contract when he signed as a young player, it apparently took quite a while before his performance resulted in an adjustment to his salary. The current Arsenal FC professional revealed this in his autobiography “Believe”, excerpts of which were picked up by the newspaper “The Guardian”.

“City’s lawyers said: ‘Look, this is a contract for an academy player, right? As soon as you play your first official game for City, we will extend your contract with the real money we pay full professionals. This is not a contract for an academy player. So trust us.’ Of course I said yes. Pursue the dream. But do you know when my next contract came? The one that gave me full pro money? After playing 43 games in the Premier League! “I won two Premier League titles when I played with an academy contract,” said 27-year-old Zinchenko, whose resume now includes four championships.

The 68-time national player for his country was initially loaned out to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands for a year before making his first appearances for the Skyblues in 2017/18. There should be a total of 128 by the time he leaves for Arsenal in the summer of 2022. By then, Zinchenko gradually increased his market value to 25 million euros. After two recent devaluations in a row, it is currently at 35 million euros – 7 million euros away from its peak value at the end of 2023 (42 million euros).

Zinchenko on beginnings at Shakhtar – “That was the darkest hour”

At first it didn’t look like Zinchenko, who had recently been plagued by injuries, would be able to have a great career. As a 17-year-old, he saw the cast at Shakhtar Donetsk – his training club, which he and the Gunners face in the Champions League on Tuesday (9 p.m.) – too prominently. The Brazil connection around Fernandinho, Willian, Douglas Costa and Alex Teixeira dominated events at that time. And Zinchenko refrained from signing a new contract due to a lack of prospects. His contract was valid for another year. Things escalated.

“I thought about giving up for a moment. That was the darkest hour. I felt invisible,” admitted Zinchenko, who made a name for himself in international football as a left-back but was positioned in a more attacking manner at the beginning of his career. At the age of 18, he desperately decided to go to Ufa in Russia, and just a year later, to his surprise, Man City decided to join him. The Premier League top club spotted him at a UEFA Youth League game between Shakhtar and Arsenal.