Matvienko makes Bayer Leverkusen move

Ukrainian defender completes €13m switch from Shakhtar Donetsk

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Ukraine defender Mykola Matvienko from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee of €13m.

The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga club and will wear the number 15 shirt.

Matvienko is a versatile defender who can play at centre-back or left-back. He has made 50 appearances for Ukraine and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

Matvienko is the second Ukrainian player to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer, following the arrival of winger Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Matvienko's move to Bayer Leverkusen

Matvienko's move to Bayer Leverkusen has been in the pipeline for several months, with the Bundesliga club reportedly first expressing their interest in the defender in January.

Shakhtar Donetsk were initially reluctant to sell Matvienko, but they eventually agreed to a deal after Bayer Leverkusen met their asking price.

Matvienko is expected to slot straight into the Bayer Leverkusen starting XI, with the German club looking to strengthen their defence after finishing third in the Bundesliga last season.

Matvienko's international career

Matvienko has been a regular for Ukraine since making his debut in 2017. He has made 50 appearances for his country and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

Matvienko played all four games for Ukraine at Euro 2020, and he was one of the team's standout performers.

Matvienko is expected to be a key player for Ukraine in the upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Conclusion

Matvienko's move to Bayer Leverkusen is a major coup for the Bundesliga club. The Ukrainian defender is a versatile and experienced player who is expected to play a key role for Bayer Leverkusen next season.

Matvienko's move to Bayer Leverkusen also highlights the growing popularity of Ukrainian players in the Bundesliga. In recent years, several Ukrainian players have made the move to Germany, including Andriy Yarmolenko, Viktor Tsygankov and Oleksandr Zinchenko.