Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Drambaev has made a move to Croatia’s Osijek on loan, with an option to buy. The 22-year-old player, who is owned by Donetsk Shakhtar, spent last season playing for Belgian side Zulte Waregem. Drambaev expressed his excitement about joining Osijek, stating that he researched the club and was impressed by the atmosphere and facilities. He also had conversations with fellow Ukrainian Yevhen Cheberko, who previously played for Osijek, and was reassured that he made the right decision. Osijek finished third in the Croatian championship last season and will compete in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
Young Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Drambaev, owned by Donetsk Shakhtar, moved to Croatia’s Osijek on loan with the right to buy.
Alexander Drambaev moved to Osijek on loan with an option to buy. The defender, who is owned by Shakhtar and played for Belgian side Zulte Waregem last season, will play in the new team at number 55.
The lease agreement is valid until June next year. This was officially announced by the press service of the Croatian club.
- Read also: Decision made: Shakhtar officially announced the termination of the contract with head coach Jovićević
Alexander talks about how he decided to move to Osijek.
“I am happy that I came to Osijek and will be part of this team.
The decision came easily. When the opportunity came to go to Osijek, I searched the Internet for information about the club, saw the atmosphere of the last match against Rijeka, pictures of the training camp and the new stadium, after that I kept telling the agent that I want to come here,” said Drambaev.
As part of Osijek, from January 2022 to June 2023, Ukrainian defender Yevhen Cheberko played. Drambaev said that he managed to communicate with his compatriots after the decision to move was made.
“After arriving in Osijek, I also spoke with Evgeny Cheberko, who told me many good things about the club and the city. He stated that he feels like part of the same family here, and this convinces me that I made the right decision,” the Croatian club’s official website quoted Drambaev as saying.
Alexander Drambaev as part of Zulte-Waregem. Photo: Belgian
- The 22-year-old Drambaev is a graduate of Shakhtar, but has yet to play a single official match for the Pitmen’s first team. The defender’s contract with the Donetsk club is valid until June 2025.
- Last season, Alexander played on loan for Zulte Waregem from Belgium and played in 25 matches where he scored one goal and provided one assist.
- The footballer also has experience playing for FC Mariupol.
- Osijek finished third last season in the Croatian championship and will play in the second qualifying round of the Conference League against Hungary’s Zalaegerszeg.
- Earlier we reported that Drambaev could go to Apollo Cyprus.
