- July 6, 2025
- 6:20 pm
- Video
From Kyiv’s Jewish School to Sammy Ofer Stadium
A transfer with purpose
On July 1, 2025, Heorhiy Yermakov—hailed as the top goalkeeper of the 2024/25 Ukrainian Premier League—moved to Maccabi Haifa for €100,000. He’ll stay on loan at Oleksandriya until June 30, 2025, to maintain match fitness before his full debut in Israel.
Key career stops
- 2008–2019: Trained at Dynamo Kyiv academy; featured for Ukraine’s U-17 and U-19 teams
- 2020: Signed pro contract with Oleksandriya; rose from backup to first choice
- October 1, 2023: Top-flight debut vs. Dynamo Kyiv (1:1)
- 2024: Two “Goalkeeper of the Month” awards in UPL
- 2025: UEFA U-21 Euros in Slovakia—two clean sheets, spot in the tournament XI
Stats that speak
| Measure | Totals |
|---|---|
| UPL appearances | 41 |
| Goals conceded | 34 |
| Penalties saved | 72 % |
| Consecutive clean sheets | 2 |
Each stat stems from sleepless reaction drills, thousands of repetitions, and relentless focus.
Roots in Kyiv
“In Kyiv, I studied at a Jewish school,” Yermakov remembers.
There, he formed lasting bonds with Rabbi Yonatan Markovets’ family—ties that endure today.
“That upbringing taught me community and tradition.
Now, guarding the net at Sammy Ofer, I feel I’m a living bridge between Ukraine and Israel.”
Family, Holon, and Hebrew
When war struck, his parents resettled in Holon (spring 2022). Frequent visits gave him everyday Hebrew:
- “Where is the locker room?”
- “What time is training?”
On the pitch he uses English; off it, he hones Hebrew in conversation clubs and private lessons—eager to speak fluently.
Interviewer (in Hebrew): “אם אני מדבר בעברית, אתה מבין?”
Yermakov: “אני מבין”—“I understand.”
Interviewer: “למה אנחנו מדברים באנגלית?”
Yermakov: “English keeps things clear until my Hebrew catches up.”
Fresh off Euro U-21
Days before his Haifa move, Yermakov returned from Slovakia’s U-21 Euros with two clean sheets and a spot in the tournament XI—experience he’s ready to bring to Israel.
Aiming higher
- Reclaim the Israeli Premier League title
- Win the State Cup
- Guide Maccabi Haifa into the Champions League group stage
- Mentor young academy goalkeepers
“I watched Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League; now I’m here to write my own chapter,” he says.
Yermakov’s journey—from a Jewish school in Kyiv to one of Israel’s iconic stadiums—shows how football transcends borders, weaving tradition and hard work into a shared story.
