Zhytomyr football club Polissya is on the verge of completing one of the most significant deals in its history. The club's management is in the final stages of negotiations to sign Venezuelan defensive midfielder Andrusve Araujo. According to the latest data, the transfer fee will amount to approximately two million euros.
Strategic goal of the Zhytomyr club
For Polissya, this signing will be not just a squad reinforcement, but one of the most expensive in the team's history. This move clearly confirms the club's ambitions: the management is aiming for a fight for the top places in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) and plans to regularly compete in European competitions. In Araujo, the Zhytomyr team sees a long-term solution to strengthen the center of the field.
Player profile and statistics
The 22-year-old midfielder possesses considerable potential and has already proven his worth at the highest level. The Venezuelan joined Kryvbas in the summer of 2025, moving from Rayo Suliano for 250,000 euros. In his debut season in the UPL, Araujo played 28 matches in all tournaments, registering three assists.
Currently, the player's estimated transfer value is 1.2 million euros, however, the Zhytomyr club is ready to pay one and a half times more for his services. The footballer's contract with the Kryvyi Rih team is valid until June 30, 2030, which makes his move to the "wolves" a significant investment in the future.
Tactical role in the team
The task set by Polissya is for Araujo to either replace or create strong competition for the current midfield leaders. The main focus is on reliability in breaking down opponents' attacks. It is expected that the experience and physical power of the Venezuelan defensive midfielder will allow the team to become more disciplined in defense.
Context of the transfer campaign
This transfer takes place against the backdrop of active work by the Zhytomyr club in the market. Earlier, a deal with a Peruvian midfield star, with whom the "wolves" had long negotiations, fell through. At the same time, another Ukrainian European participant, Luhansk Zorya (LNZ), has already strengthened its squad with a product of English club Everton, which fuels the competition for squad reinforcement in the current season.