It didn’t take Serhiy Rebrov long to make up his mind when the Al-Ain boss was offered the opportunity to bring fellow Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko to the UAE following the expiry of his West Ham United contract last summer..
“They asked me: ‘Do you need Yarmolenko?’. I answered: ‘Of course!’, Rebrov tells Channel 24, admitting that, as soon as the news emerged that the winger would be leaving the Premier League on a free transfer, there was only one name at the top of his summer wishlist.
“There were candidates, and Andriy was number one among them for me. I know his abilities, his potential, despite his irregular playing time (at West Ham).”
Andriy Yarmolenko shining after West Ham United exit
Rebrov’s faith in his now-32-year-old compatriot is certainly paying off. Yarmolenko has made just six appearances in the UAE Pro League thus far. In all but one of those, he has either scored a goal or set one up for a grateful team-mate. In total, the one-time Borussia Dortmund forward has a combined tally of five goals and assists already.
There was a masterful display in the 7-0 thumping of Al-Dhafra; a home debut for the ages. And, believe it or not, a lesser-spotted right-footed finish just six minutes in against Dibba Fujairah.
Yarmolenko never scored a single goal with his ‘swinger’ during four years at West Ham. He’s already breaking new ground, then, in his new home.
“I’d like to thank coach Sergei Rebrov for his confidence in me,” beams Yarmolenko, relishing his new-found starring role after growing tired of life stuck behind Jarrod Bowen in West Ham’s pecking order.
“I’m well aware of what is required of me in this new challenge with one of the largest clubs in Asian. I love challenges. I look forward to contributing to Al-Ain winning more titles.”
Firing Al-Ain to within touching distance of the top of the UAE Pro League table, Yarmolenko is proving to be true to his word.
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