A car with a Ukrainian license plate parked right in front of the Montilivi entrance early yesterday morning was a clear enough sign that things were happening in the offices. Brave members who braved the cold to try and buy tickets at the box office were commenting on the play. “It must be from that new guy they say is so good.” indeed At noon, Girona announced the signing of the winger from Dynamo Kyiv, Viktor Tsygankov, for the remainder of the season and four more. The Ukrainian player, who last Saturday was already seen in the Montilivi box office during the match against Sevilla, was yesterday at La Vinya where he met his new teammates and was able to greet coach Míchel, sporting director Quique Cárcel and the president of the Board of Directors, and partner of the agency that represents him, Pere Guardiola. This afternoon he will be presented in Montilivi as a new white-and-red player.
The arrival of Tsygankov can be considered an impact signing for Girona. The first galactic almost and who knows if the demonstration of the leap forward that the club intends to make. In this regard, Dynamo Kyiv revealed the figures of the operation. Girona has paid five million euros for the player and, in addition, 50% of a future sale will be for the Ukrainian team. A bit daring conditions, perhaps, but which show the enormous confidence that Montilivi has in the player’s potential. “The coach told me that he saw me here and that he wanted me. He told me that tomorrow (for today) I will train with the team”, he said in statements to the club’s media. An absolute international 43 times with Ukraine, Tsygankov has played 64 matches in European competition between the Champions League and Europa League, in which he has scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists. PSV Eindhoven, Sevilla, Milan and Porto, among others, were some of the suitors for the player whose contract ended on June 30 with Dinamo. Girona, who already had an agreement with him from the summer, have decided to take the step and secure him from already paying five million euros. “I have seen the team’s last matches and they have played incredibly. Being here is the best step for me now. I want to grow and improve at Girona”, he said. It will be necessary to see now when he joins training and in what physical condition he is, because he has not played a game since November 30, against Metalist. The Ukrainian league is on hiatus for the winter break and does not resume until March.
Tsygankov, 25, made his debut for Dinamo’s first team in the 2016-17 season aged 19. He was born in Israel as his father, also a footballer, played much of his career in the country. The new Girona player does not occupy a non-EU position because, as he is Ukrainian, he has a B-EU card.
