New career chapter: Malinovskyi chooses Turkey
One of the key players of the Ukrainian national team, midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, has officially changed his club affiliation. The experienced midfielder will continue his career in the Turkish championship, joining Trabzonspor — the bronze medalists of the Turkish Super Lig. Official confirmation of the transfer appeared on the club's Instagram page, as reported by RBK-Ukraine.
Deal terms and free agent status
Ruslan joined the Turkish giant as a free agent. This became possible after his contract with Italian Genoa came to a natural conclusion. According to the authoritative local publication Gunebakis, the parties agreed on the terms of a long-term contract on a "2+1" scheme. This means the deal is for two years with an option for automatic extension for another season.
Tough competition in the squad
Despite his status as an experienced foreign player, the Ukrainian will have to face serious competition for a starting spot. In the 2025/26 season, five players competed for the midfielder position at Trabzonspor. Ivorian Crist Inao Ulay and Frenchman Tim Jabol-Folcarelli became ironclad starters in the previous season, playing a combined total of over 30 matches.
Also in the team's rotation are Moroccan Benjamin Bouchouari, as well as local academy graduates Ozan Tufan and Boran Başkan. Thus, Malinovskyi will have to prove his necessity in a team where a powerful core of players has already been formed.
A symbolic gesture
The club perceived Malinovskyi's transfer as the beginning of a new story. The official club statement mentions that some decisions are made not only for the color of the kit but also for identity. This highlights the importance of the Ukrainian footballer's choice, who will now represent the interests of Trabzonspor on the field.