Left Zenit and is back at Shakhtar Donetsk for Europa League

Shakhtar Donetsk announced the signing of Yaroslav Rakitskiy on Monday. The 33-year-old defender has left Adana Demirspor to return to his youth club to play in the Europa League.

Rakitskiy moved supporters with his return to the club five years later. The defender represented Zenit, from Russia, last season, deciding to interrupt his connection with the club due to the beginning of the war.

"I always dreamed of returning to Shakhtar. I love this club and my heart belongs only to Shakhtar. Wherever I play, I will always be loyal to this club. I spoke with Dario [sports director], yesterday I spoke with the coach, we all understand each other. It all depends on me. Despite my age, 33 years old, I'm still young and I'm going to make an effort, impose my candidacy on the coach to reach the eleven. I hope to help", he told the club's website.