Vladyslav Kabayev: “Dynamo will be making headway, and I’ll be with them”

FC Dynamo Kyiv newcomer Vladyslav Kabayev has told about his transfer to our club and first impressions of the team.

- Vlad, 8 years ago you made your debut in the UPL against Dynamo, and now you’ve signed a contract with this club. Is this a kind of fate?

- I guess it is! Many young players dream of playing for a Ukrainian top club as Dynamo are. When I took the field of the NSC Olimpiyskyi for the first time, I couldn’t even think I would be Dynamo player. I’m really glad I’ve joined such outstanding club.

- What was the football dream of your childhood?

- When I was at school, they took us to Kyiv and we saw the Olimpiyskyi. Of course I wanted to take the field of this stadium as did such legends as Lobanovskyi, Blokhin, Shevchenko. My dream has come true.

- Whom do you look up to in Dynamo?

- I don’t have idols. I just want to show the football I can and to progress.

- You used to play in many attacking positions for Zoria. Which is your favorite one?

- It’s OK for me in the left side, in the midfield or as a striker (smiling). I’ll play where coach tells me to. I guess I’ll be the left winger in Dynamo, but I suppose we’ll have a chat with Mister about that.

- Have you started getting accustomed to Dynamo?

- I came to the training ground yesterday, talked to Mister and players. They gave me a warm welcome. I know a lot of guys we played for Zoria for with. But it’s still a challenge. New city, new team, new coach, new training ground. I really want to start today and get accustomed as soon as possible.

- What will your squad number be?

- Number 7. I wanted it either 22 or 7 and the administrator offered me 7 which was available. I had it in Zoria and I understand who had it in Dynamo before. Benjamin Verbic is a great player, and of course Shevchenko comes across my mind. It’s a kind of pressure, but actually it will be interesting.

- Every Ukrainian player feels incredible responsibility as our Warriors follow them. Do you think of that when taking the field?

- It’s impossible not to think of that. The war is on and in every interview you really want to thank The Armed Forces of Ukraine due to whom we can live calmly more or less. Kyiv is getting alive. Every guy putting on the shirt of Dynamo, Shakhtar of Zoria does his best to distract people to football as this is what we love. I’ve seen videos of our warriors watching the games, a lot of Ultras are fighting. Of course we think of them and we only aim to win.

This war has united us and we try to stick together. Of course there’re no friends between Dynamo and Shakhtar on the field, but outside it we must stay united.

- How do you currently feel physically?

- I skipped just a week and I wasn’t getting ready for the game against Lviv due to injury, but today I talked to the doctor and coach and I’ll actually join the training process today. We’ll see how ready I am.

I followed the team’s session yesterday and I liked the positive atmosphere. I want to get accustomed and do my best. I think I will learn a lot from Mister and Ukraine internationals. Dynamo will be making headway, and I’ll be with them.