Viktor Chanov, born on July 21, 1959, was a legendary goalkeeper of Dynamo Kyiv, where he played from 1982 to 1990 and became one of the club’s most reliable players. During his career he won multiple Soviet championships and cups as well as the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1986. He also represented the USSR national team, earning 21 caps and participating in the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups, as well as Euro 1988, where the team finished as runners-up. Chanov came from a famous football family: his father and older brother were also goalkeepers, which strongly influenced his development and dedication to the position.
Known for his discipline, hard work, and professionalism, Chanov earned the trust of legendary coach Valeriy Lobanovskyi. He often trained longer than others, constantly improving his skills and positioning. One of the defining moments of his career came after recovering from a serious arm injury in 1984 when he fought his way back into the starting lineup and became the first-choice goalkeeper again during Dynamo’s victorious European campaign in 1986. He was admired for his composure, consistency and ability to perform in crucial matches, and he even had an impressive run of games for the national team where opponents struggled to score against him.
After leaving Dynamo Kyiv, Chanov played in Israel before finishing his career and moving into coaching and business. Although he worked as a goalkeeper coach for a period, he later focused more on entrepreneurship, using his discipline and education in economics. Off the field, he was known as a punctual, respectful and reliable person who valued family and friendship. Chanov passed away on February 8, 2017, and remains remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of Ukrainian and Soviet football.
