Karavaev: Everyone is used to the fact that I played for Dynamo, but I am a pupil of Shakhtar

The newly minted Shakhtar player Oleksandr Karavaev shared his impressions after and admitted that even a year ago he could not have imagined such a turn in his career. The defender called this transition a special event and a new stage in his football career. "I wouldn't say that it is so difficult, but this is a new stage, a new page in my book, as they say. Of course, everyone is used to the fact that I played for Dynamo, but I am a student of Shakhtar. And so it turned out that after many, many years I am returning to the club. I think this is a strong and interesting story in my career." According to the footballer, during his performances for Zorya, he still hoped to return to the Donetsk club, but later such thoughts faded into the background. "No, a year ago I definitely could not have imagined such a thing. Maybe when I was still playing for Zora and went on loan, I had hopes that I would return from the loan and be useful for Shakhtar. But it turned out that I was bought by Dynamo. When I played in Shakhtar's academy and graduated from it, there were thoughts that there was a chance to get involved in the first team. I went to training sessions, but I never appeared in an official match. And later such thoughts became less and less But for me this is an indicator: when a team that is the champion of the country makes you an offer to strengthen its composition, then I think that it was a strong work and that all this is noticed." Karavaev also explained what was the main reason for his decision to change the club. "The key is that during the last season I played very little. That's why I made this decision." The player spoke respectfully about the fans of both clubs and admitted that he had not yet thought about the upcoming Classic confrontations. "Not yet, but, of course, it cannot escape me. I have a lot of respect for Dynamo fans, because they cheered for me for seven years. And, of course, I have a lot of respect for Shakhtar fans, because I was a member of the club. Nobody ever said anything bad about me here." The defender said that he discussed his transfer with his long-time partners in Dynamo. "Of course, I spoke with the guys from Dynamo, because there are football players in the club with whom I played from the very beginning. The same Yarmolenko, Buyalbroadcaster, with whom we have been playing together for more than 10 years, Shaparenko, with whom from the very beginning. And when the news came out that they were interested in me, they asked. And I also asked them for advice and heard words from them that were very important to me. They will always remain with me." The football player emphasized that he is ready to help the young team of Shakhtar with his experience. "I always said that I know my capabilities and strengths, I know that I can help. Of course, I will help with my experience: Shakhtar has a very young team, and when I am needed, and I am sure that I will be needed, I will go out and show everything with my game." Karavaev also named his main sporting goal as part of the Donetsk club. "Win the European Cup". At the end, the Shakhtar rookie addressed the team's fans. "I will give myself, as I have given myself for all the clubs I have played for. Be sure that I will give more than 100%," Oleksandr concluded. In the 2025/26 season, the defender played 33 matches in all competitions, scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists. We will remind, earlier