Displaced person from Ukraine
Dynamo Dresden strengthened their defense again shortly before the start of the season in the 3rd division. The 23-year-old right-back Kyrylo Melichenko, who came to the Elbe city at the end of March as an exile from the Ukrainian first division club FK Mariupol simply to be able to train and keep fit, signed a contract with SGD until June 30, 2024.
“I know that I was very lucky and I want to give back a lot – as a person and as a footballer – and I’m proud to be able to wear the Dynamo jersey,” said Melichenko, who emphasized: “I only have one big wish for the future : Peace in Ukraine.” Melichenko has made 22 appearances (one goal) for FK Mariupol since the beginning of 2021.
Melichenko arrived in Dresden with his girlfriend Anna at the end of March after not seeing his home in Ukraine for over two months. On January 20, he had Ukrainian soil under his feet for the last time. From there he went to the training camp in Turkey – without knowing that he would not see his country again anytime soon. On February 24, the team sat at the airport ready for the return trip. But by then the airspace in Ukraine was already closed.
Then the war had turned the once beautiful Mariupol into a ruined city. The club premises of the Ukrainian first division club and his apartment in a tenement house in the eastern Ukrainian city with all their personal belongings were completely destroyed. The couple’s parents fled from the basements of the capital Kyiv to the west of the country.
“These were moving moments, how open-hearted and helpful the team and the ‘Dynamo family’ welcomed Kyrylo Melichenko from day one in an absolute emergency. It quickly became apparent that a special relationship was developing and that he also had a great sporting desire to assert himself at Dynamo. That’s why we’re very happy not only to strengthen our defense with Kyrylo, but also to be able to give a young man with a big heart a perspective. We are convinced that he will play a very good role in our team with his strength in tackles, his mentality and his defensive flexibility,” said sporting director Ralf Becker.
He came as a war refugee – and remains a professional footballer. SG Dynamo Dresden has Kyrylo #Melichenko with a contract until June 30, 2024. Nice that you are staying with us, dear “Kiri”! All info https://t.co/fp05d1yfEM #sgd1953 pic.twitter.com/Cy5Wq6sPVE
— SG Dynamo Dresden (@DynamoDresden) July 22, 2022
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