The return of Polish defender Tomasz Kędziora to Dynamo will obviously become one of the most notable transfers of the current Ukrainian football offseason. As a player of the Kyiv club, Tomek won the 2020/21 national championship and finished as runner-up three times, has two Ukrainian Cup winner’s medals to his name, and celebrated success in the Super Cup three times.
Shortly after joining the team at the training camp in Austria, Kędziora answered questions from Dynamo’s official website.
– Tomasz, welcome back to a club whose supporters respect and love you. What are your first impressions of meeting your new-old teammates?
– I received an extremely warm welcome here. I know many of the players very well, and with some of them I played together, so the adaptation process is not causing any difficulties. It is nice to be back in the team and immersed once again in the positive working atmosphere. You can see that all the guys in the first team are striving to achieve results, while at the same time maintaining friendly relationships. There is healthy competition and a desire to improve every day.
– How long did you think about putting on the white-and-blue shirt again? What was the main factor behind your decision?
– This was not a spontaneous story; I weighed all the sporting, personal, and family aspects. However, I did not think about it for too long. Dynamo’s management made it clear that I was needed and that they were counting on me. And in discussions with PAOK’s top management, we came to an agreement that I would leave as a free agent. For me, Dynamo is a special club that has given me a lot in my career. Both in Poland and in Greece, I continued to follow the team’s results, watched matches whenever I had the opportunity, and kept up with the news. And now the moment has come when I can give something back by taking part in the development of the team.
– What conclusions did you draw from your conversation with the head coach?
– Ihor Kostiuk is a true professional, a person devoted to his work, and a coach with deep knowledge and understanding of football. We discussed my role and responsibilities within the team’s tactical schemes. For the last three years, I have been playing in central defence, but if necessary, I am always ready to help the team in any position.
– Dynamo will play its European home matches in Poland. Is that an additional motivation for you?
– Absolutely! I am very familiar with Polish stadiums and the atmosphere of local football. I am convinced that members of my family and many friends will attend our matches in Lublin, which will further strengthen my motivation.
– What would you like to say to Dynamo supporters today?
– First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the club’s supporters for their support and trust. It is a great honour for me to once again be part of this respected and popular team. I will give my maximum in every training session and every match to help Dynamo achieve new successes and reach new heights.
Yurii Korzachenko
