--- title: "Artem Smolyakov Returns to the UPL: FC Kharkiv Signs Defender on Loan from MLS" description: "FC Kharkiv strengthens defense: the club has signed Ukrainian defender Artem Smolyakov on loan from American club \"Los Angeles\" πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦. The 23-year-old returns to the UPL on a loan deal with a buy option. Kharkiv has also unveiled a new kit! βš½πŸ‘•" date: 2026-07-28T17:46:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/artem-smolyakov-returns-to-kharkiv-from-mls tags: [artem-smyalyakov, fk-kharkiv, upl, mls, la-galaxy] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Artem Smolyakov Returns to the UPL: FC Kharkiv Signs Defender on Loan from MLS ![Artem Smolyakov in FC Kharkiv training gear with the UPL emblem on his sleeve, symbolizing his return to Ukrainian football](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/28/artem-smyalyakov-v-kharkiv-iz-mls/artem-smyalyakov-v-kharkiv-iz-mls-1.webp) FC Kharkiv has officially announced the signing of Ukrainian defender Artem Smolyakov. The 23-year-old footballer, who previously played in the US Championship, returns to his native league to continue his career with the Kharkiv team. The transfer is structured as a one-year loan from the American club "Los Angeles". ### Transfer Details and Contract Terms According to information published on the club's official website, Smolyakov will join the team for the 2026/27 season. A key condition of the deal is a buy option: at the end of the season, "Kharkiv" will have the right to fully acquire the player if he meets the coaching staff's expectations. For the left-back, this transfer represents a significant step in his career. After a brief stint in the MLS, where he moved in early 2026, the footballer decided to return to Ukraine to gain more playing time in the highly competitive environment of the UPL. ### The Journey from Zhytomyr to the US and Back Artem Smolyakov is a product of Ukrainian football. At the professional level, he made his mark with Zhytomyr's "Polissya," where he quickly became one of the country's most prominent young left-backs. His technique and vision on the pitch attracted the attention of scouts, eventually leading to his transfer to an American club. His return to Kharkiv is also bolstered by his experience playing for the Ukraine U21 national team. This background makes him a valuable acquisition for a team actively building plans for the upcoming season. ### Strengthening the Defense and a New Image Signing Smolyakov is part of "Kharkiv's" strategy to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season. The club continues to be active in the transfer market, and the arrival of an experienced left-back is expected to increase competition on the defensive flank, adding variety to their game plan. Alongside transfer news, FC Kharkiv has unveiled a new kit. The team has fulfilled its promises to fans regarding the color and style of the set, which now showcases a modern approach to sports equipment design. The summer transfer window has been a period of active change for the club. Smolyakov is one of the key new arrivals, and his arrival signals the Kharkivians' intention to fight for high positions in the upcoming UPL season.