Oleksandr Zinchenko has left Manchester City to join Arsenal on a permanent deal.
The 25-year-old heads to north London for a new challenge after six trophy-laden years at the Etihad Stadium during which he has become the most successful Ukrainian in Premier League history League.
He leaves with 128 appearances and two goals to his name, and having won every honor available in the English game, including four league titles, four Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and a Community Shield.
“Signing for Manchester City changed my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me,” he told mancity.com.
“It is a special club and this has been a special period. To have won 10 trophies is incredible and I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved together.
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“I’ve loved being part of this team. Playing alongside top players and working with Pep Guardiola has been an absolute privilege and I have to say the same about playing in front of the fans, who have always made me feel like home here
“I thank them all for the support they have given me and I wish the Club the best in the future.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “I cannot speak highly enough of Oleks, both as a player and as a person.
“He must be very proud of his time here at City. He helped us achieve great things and the way he conducts himself has been an example to us all.
“His professionalism and work ethic have been exceptional, and we all wish him the best of luck as he begins this new chapter in his career.”
A summer signing in 2016, Zinchenko spent his first season as a City player on loan at PSV Eindhoven in what proved to be a frustrating spell in the Netherlands.
He made 12 league appearances for the Eredivisie before returning to Manchester ahead of the following campaign, making his debut in a Carabao Cup clash with Wolves in October 2017.
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Initially signed as an attacking midfielder, Guardiola converted Zinchenko to left-back, exploiting his attacking qualities in a position that has become central to City’s style of play with the Catalan.
Technically gifted and eager to pass, it is a role in which he has flourished.
The Ukrainian played 14 games in his debut campaign as part of the Centurions side that won both the Premier League with a record 100 points and the Carabao Cup.
The following season he went from strength to strength to further establish himself in Guardiola’s squad, making 29 appearances and starting in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals as City swept the board to win all domestic trophies available in 2018/19.
Zinchenko scored the Club’s first goal in January that season with a spectacular effort against Burton Albion and returned to Wembley in 2019/20, converting on penalties as City beat Liverpool in the Community Shield earlier to win his third. Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
He made 25 appearances as City lost to Liverpool in the league that season, but he and City responded to that setback in the best possible way, playing a career-best 32 games in all competitions as we regained the title and the Carabao Cup in 2020. /21
However, last season was arguably Zinchenko’s most impressive in a City shirt, both on and off the pitch.
The 25-year-old showed incredible strength of character to continue playing while his homeland was besieged by war and proved to be an inspirational figure with numerous selfless acts in aid of his countrymen.
He poignantly draped the Ukrainian flag around the Premier League trophy after last night’s dramatic win over Aston Villa, his last game for the club and arguably one of his best, as he made a game changer from the bench to turn the game around. and race for the title in favor of City.
It was a fitting end for a player who will be fondly remembered at the Etihad.
Everyone at Manchester City sends Oleksandr their best wishes ahead of his move to Arsenal.
City career statistics
Appearances: 128 Goals: 2 Assists: 13Trophies won: 10 (four Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups, one FA Cup, one Community Shield)