BERLIN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Monchengladbach has signed Ukraine international Yukhym Konoplia on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, with the right-back agreeing a contract until June 2029, the Bundesliga club said on Friday.
The 26-year-old joins Gladbach ahead of the 2026/27 season after developing at Shakhtar and becoming a regular for the Ukrainian champion.
Konoplia, capped 27 times, has won three league titles with Shakhtar, in 2023, 2024 and 2026, two Ukrainian Cups and one Super Cup.
"Yukhym is a physically strong defender who enjoys playing and competing," sporting director Rouven Schroeder said. "As a regular starter for the Ukrainian champion, through regular international appearances and games in the Champions League, he brings a lot of experience and leadership qualities."
Konoplia made his professional debut during a loan spell at Desna Chernihiv in 2019/20, playing 49 competitive matches over two seasons, scoring once and providing nine assists.
After returning to Shakhtar for the 2021/22 campaign, he broke into the senior team and made 114 competitive appearances for the Donetsk club.
Those matches included 79 in the league, six in the cup, one in the Super Cup, 15 in the Champions League, seven in the Europa League, including qualifying, and six in the Conference League, including qualifying. He scored seven goals and supplied 15 assists.
"I am very happy to be joining Borussia," Konoplia said. "It is a very big club with a long history and an incredible fan base. "I have so many emotions right now that I cannot really explain. It will take a few days until I have realised everything. But I am looking forward to a great time at Borussia."
Konoplia made his senior Ukraine debut in October 2020 and has scored twice for his country. He previously represented Ukraine 19 times from under-18 to under-21 level and was part of the squad that won the under-20 World Cup in 2019. Konoplia becomes Gladbach's fourth signing for next season after goalkeeper Daniel Batz, left-back David Herold and Enzo Leopold. ■
