Former Kyiv "Dynamo" defender Vladislav Vashchuk in a new episode of Denis Boyko's YouTube show spoke about missed opportunities to play for top European clubs. The 50-year-old ex-footballer admitted that French "Monaco" and German "Borussia" Dortmund wanted to buy him, but "Dynamo" didn't let the player go.
What he only found out after moving to "Spartak"
"Later, when I had already moved to Spartak, I found out a bit later that Monaco wanted to buy me, and Borussia Dortmund wanted me too. But there was some figure, for example, 3.5, and they wanted 4.5, something didn't match up. At that time defenders didn't cost as much as they do today," – Vashchuk said.
Let us recall that the legendary defender moved to Moscow "Spartak" as a free agent at the beginning of 2003. Two years later he returned to "Dynamo" via Odesa "Chornomorets".
Career at "Dynamo" and European ambitions
Overall for "Dynamo" throughout all periods (1993-2003, 2005-2008) Vashchuk played 357 matches, scoring 15 goals and making 12 assists. During this time he won nine Ukrainian championship titles, six Cups and two Super Cups of Ukraine.
"I would have liked to play at European level. When I was on trial at Mainz and Feyenoord, I understood that at that time I could easily play for a European club – both Monaco and Borussia Dortmund," – the ex-footballer admitted.
From football to military service
At the end of May 2023, Vladislav Vashchuk joined the ranks of Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces. Currently the ex-footballer holds the rank of lieutenant in the National Guard and works as senior officer of the rehabilitation department in "Guard of Advance".
"You can't throw football out of yourself. When there were evacuations, it saved me," – Vashchuk shares about combining his sporting past with military service.
In Denis Boyko's podcast, the "Dynamo" legend also spoke about working with Valeriy Lobanovsky, the golden 1998-1999 season and transfers to "Chornomorets" and "Volyn".
