Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko has admitted that he plans to return to Dynamo Kiev at some point in the future, speaking to the club’s official website after sealing an £18 million move to the Premier League strugglers.
It’s not often a club is happy, let alone proud, to see one of their most important players leave midway through the season, with a league title on the line.
Dynamo Kiev are looking beyond their personal ambitions, however, and at the bigger picture.
Dynamo coach Mircea Lucescu admitted that he was ‘glad’ to see Mykolenko earn a life-changing move to Goodison Park while president Igor Surkis believes the move will work wonders for the reputation of Ukrainian football.
The 22-year-old left-back penned a long-term contract with Everton earlier this month and is expected to replace the out-of-favour Lucas Digne at Goodison Park.
But after rising through the ranks at Dynamo, Mykolenko believes his story will eventually come full circle.
“I hope not soon, but I’ll be back,” said the talented defender, who impressed for Ukraine at Euro 2020, translated by UA Tribuna.
Can Vitaliy Mykolenko succeed Lucas Digne at Everton?
Mykolenko signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Everton, becoming the first signing of the post-Marcel Brands era.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United were interested too but the fight for Mykolenko’s future always felt like a one-horse race.
“I learned about (Everton’s) interest on December 12,” he explains. “I heard many rumours. At first, I did not believe that this could be about me.
“My parents and my girlfriend told me that it was like being in a movie. And when everything was agreed, I got into the car and sobbed. It takes me 40 minutes to go home, and probably 30 minutes I cried.
“It is difficult to explain feelings – I was very happy and at the same time very scared.”
With Digne on his way out, Mykolenko will have to get used to life at Everton rather quickly.
He has been joined on Merseyside by another talented young full-back, Nathan Patterson arriving in a £16 million deal from Rangers on Tuesday.
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