“15 seasons, 439 matches, 25 trophies: Shakhtar’s captain Taras Stepanenko leaves Kllettar Stepanenko completes the performances of Shakhtar Donetsk after 15 seasons, 439 matches and 25 trophies. Rumors are associated with an experienced midfielder with the transition to Turkish “Eupspor”.”, – WRITE ON: Unn.ua
A beautiful and triumphant journey in the length of almost a half decades is coming to an end. Shakhtar’s midfielder and Taras Stepanenko’s captain is completing his speeches for the Donetsk team. The history of Taras Stepanenko in Shakhtar began in May 2010, when he signed his first contract with Miners. He made his debut for the team in July in the victorious match of the Super Cup of Ukraine with Tavriya (7: 1). The following were 15 seasons in Orange-Black T-shirt, 439 played matches in official tournaments (288 in UPL, 76 in the Champions League, 29 in the Europa League, 35 in the Cup of Ukraine, 11 in the Super Cup of Ukraine), 30 clogged balls and 25 assistants . In more than 100 games, Taras brought the team to the Kapitan band. Together with Shakhtar, Stepanenko won 25 trophies: he became the champion of Ukraine 10 times, 8 times – the winner of the Cup of Ukraine and 7 times – the Super Cup of Ukraine,
The club thanked Stepanenko for the incredible path in Shakhtar and wished new interesting challenges, great success and achievements in the subsequent sports career and in life.
Stepanenko himself stated that it was a good trip.
It was a good journey. Thank you, Shakhtar. All for the sake of victory… and forever in my heart
In a farewell speech after the duel against the Dortmund “Borussia”, in which Stepanenko came out in the 89th minute, the midfielder stated that for him it was a trip for half a life, and if you take a football career, then a trip to all football life.
I am very happy that I was invited to Shakhtar at one time – and I was able to prove that it was not just that. I got a lot of trophies with the team, but most importantly, we stood together in difficult times. So, let’s say so, I go with a pure heart and a pure soul, from myself everything I could, for this club I did, as well as the club did for me. Well, I want to say a lot thanks to the President, the CEO and the Sports Director, the club staff-all management, staff, and base workers-because these are people I know for many, many years. Likewise the guys I played with all the coaches who were in Shakhtar. Looking back I can only say that for me it was a very, very happy time,
The midfielder also told what the goal of the match and what goal became the most famous for him.
Well, I always say that this is the first goal in the Champions League – “Partisan”. Let’s just say: after that naked and this victory I became a full -fledged player of Shakhtar football team, I began to count on me, saw me potential, so I started playing high levels
Each story ends sooner or later. I want to express my gratitude and respect from the bottom of my heart. Playing with you was a great honor and incredible experience. You are an example of a real professional, a person with an iron character and the leadership qualities that the team holds. Your dedication, the ability to lead and the devotion of football inspired all of us. You are a player who can always rely on, and a person who is pleased to go to a common goal. We are more likely to have for your contribution to each of our victory and for all moments on the field and outside the field. Continue to be the benchmark that young players are equal and everyone who understands what means to be a real professional
Addition
Taras Stepanenko – was born on August 8, 1989 in the village of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk region. He started his football career in Zaporizhzhya Metallurgy. He made his debut for Metallurg’s adult team on March 4, 2007, at the age of 17 against Dynamo Kyiv.
On May 11, 2010, the midfielder signed a contract with Shakhtar for five years for an unknown amount, leaving Metalurg together with Sergey Kryvtsov, who also joined the club for five years.
Stepanenko is a member of the top 5 players in the number of matches for Shakhtar, becoming along with former team partners (Dario Srna, Andriy Pyatov) and club legends since the Soviet times (Mikhail Sokolovsky and Sergey Yashchenko).
If you take speeches during independent Ukraine, Stepanenko is in 3rd place in the number of matches for Shakhtar. He spent 87 matches in the national team of Ukraine, scored 4 goals. He participated in the European Championships 2016, 2020 and 2024. In several matches, he brought the national team to the Kapitan bandage field. In addition, Stepanenko was the only player from Shakhtar, who played on Donbas Arena.
The network is rumored that Stepanenko will continue his career in Turkish “Eupspora”, which holds the first season in the local supercell and takes 4th place in the championship.
Shakhtar Sports Director Dario Srna stated that the club did not plan to look for a replacement of the football player.
No, we do not plan. Dmitry Kryskiv, Marlon and Yegor Nazarina are at the position of the reference midfielder, and we are now satisfied with this choice,
It is also worth noting the scandal between Dynamo midfielder Yandriy Yarmoen and Stepanenko.
In the last match of the 1st circle of the 2015/16 Championship, after the match with Dynamo Kiev, Stepanenko exchanged T-shirts with Andriy Yarmolenko. After that, Andrew threw his T -shirt on the field in front of the tribunes of Dynamo fans.
In the next meeting of these two teams, on May 1, 2016, after the third goal “Miners” at the goal of the Kiev club, Stepanenko ran to the podium, where the fans of “Dynamo” sat, and kissed the emblem of his club. As he returned to his half of the field, Yarmolenko hit him behind his foot. In a post -match interview, Taras said his friendship with Yarmolenko ended, because he was not correctly accurate. On May 19, on the eve of the announcement of the composition of the national team of Ukraine at Euro 2016 at the FFU house, Yarmolenko pleaded guilty to Stepanenko and both shook his hands. Both players were part of the national team at the international tournament in France.