AFC Bournemouth Defender Illia Zabarnyi Signs New Five-Year Contract
AFC Bournemouth Defender Illia Zabarnyi Signs New Five-Year Contract
Illya Zabarnyi of Ukraine during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Ukraine and Belgium at Stuttgart Arena on June 26, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany.(Image-Getty) |
AFC Bournemouth is thrilled to announce that Illia Zabarnyi has signed a new five-year contract with the club, securing his future at Vitality Stadium until at least the summer of 2029. The 21-year-old defender had an exceptional 2023/24 campaign, playing a crucial role in helping the Cherries achieve a club record Premier League points tally of 48.
Zabarnyi expressed his excitement and happiness about extending his stay with the club, stating, "I'm so excited and so happy to be here. I'm really enjoying it, it's a beautiful town and a really exciting project. I've enjoyed a lot of good moments, last season was important for me. We achieved a record points total, but we can do more, it's a really great place to be, and I'm pleased to extend my stay."
The defender's impressive performances last season included playing 90 minutes in all but one of the club's top-flight fixtures, keeping eight clean sheets, and scoring a pivotal goal in AFC Bournemouth's memorable 4-3 comeback win over Luton Town. His contributions earned the club the Premier League's Most Improbable Comeback award for 2023/24.
Following his successful club campaign, Zabarnyi represented Ukraine in their Euro 2024 group fixtures, playing every minute. He has since returned to join his teammates for the club's Bourne In The USA summer tour.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake praised Zabarnyi's remarkable season, saying, "Illia had a remarkable season for us and showed great quality beyond his years. We're delighted he's agreed terms on a new long-term contract and are excited to see him continue his impressive development."
This new contract solidifies Zabarnyi's position as a key player for AFC Bournemouth, and fans can look forward to seeing his continued growth and contributions to the team's success.