Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk player Mykhaylo Mudryk signs for Chelsea – and his former team pledges millions to war effort | World News

Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk have pledged millions of pounds to support the country’s war effort, after Chelsea FC signed one of their star players.

Mykhaylo Mudryk, 22, has joined the west London club for a fee of £88.5m after seven years playing for the top Ukrainian side.

Shakhtar, although named after the Donetsk region, currently plays in Kyiv, due to the Russian occupation of the region that shares the club’s name.

Follow the Ukraine war live, as the death toll from the attack on Dnipro escalates

Mudryk’s transfer means that the club’s president, Rinat Akhmetov, has launched a plan to support the war effort in Ukraine, pledging $25m (£20.5m) to help. soldiers and their families.

Akhmetov said: “I have decided to launch Azovstal Heart, a project designed to help the defenders of Mariupol and the families of fallen soldiers.

“Their act of bravery is unparalleled in modern history. It was them, their sacrifice and their bravery that helped restrain the enemy in the first months of the war and for all of us to feel. the inevitability of Ukraine’s victory now.

“I am allocating $25 million (1 billion UAH) today to help soldiers, their defenders and their families.

“This money will be used to meet various needs – from providing medical treatment, prosthetics and psychological support to meeting specific requests. To ensure transparency, The project will feature a professional independent team that will liaise with Azovstal defenders, their families, care providers and volunteers.”

Mr Akhmetov said his dream was to win European titles, but understood that was impossible in the Ukraine conflict, which he described as “a terrible and senseless war waged by the Russian Federation” act against us”.

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Mr Akhmetov added that he was proud of Mudryk, and that “this guy is leading by example, showing that talent and hard work can make the impossible possible”.

“I have full confidence that the whole of Europe will applaud Mykhaylo’s brilliant and beautiful play,” he added.

The Donetsk president also raised the idea of ​​a match between Chelsea and his team at the Donbas Arena in the future.

Talk about his move to Stamford Bridge, a club formerly owned by Roman Abramovich is now punishedMurdyk said: “I am delighted to have signed for Chelsea.

“This is a big club, in a great league, and it’s a very exciting project for me at this stage of my career. I’m delighted to meet my new teammates and me. looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his team.”

The blues also thanked his former club for making the move possible.