Nikita Rukavytsya
Encyclopedia
Nikita Vadimovich Rukavytsya (born 22 June 1987 in Mykolayiv, Ukrainian SSR
) is a Ukrainian-Australian
professional football (soccer) player currently playing for Hertha BSC in the German Bundesliga. He began his career as a striker at Perth Glory but has since played primarily as a winger
since moving to Europe.
; his family moved to Australia
when he was 14 years old, settling in Perth
. He played junior football for Inglewood United
and Perth SC
in the Football West State League while attending Mount Lawley Senior High School, before being offered a spot at the Australian Institute of Sport
on a football scholarship.
He joined Perth Glory
on a short-term replacement deal in the latter stages of the 2006–07 A-League season, making three appearances for the club. In March 2007, he signed a contract with the Glory
to keep him at the club until the end of the 2008–09 A-League season.
After an excellent pre-season, the start of the 2007–08 A-League season was difficult for both Rukavytsya and Perth Glory. However, with the departure of coach Ron Smith
, Rukavytsya turned his form around starting by scoring two goals against the Newcastle Jets in David Mitchell's first game as coach and another two goals against Melbourne Victory
at home on December 2, 2007. By the end of the 2007–08 A-League season Rukavytsya managed to score six goals in the last eight games of the campaign.
In April 2008 he was invited to trial with Hannover 96
in Germany. It ultimately proved unsuccessful, and he returned to Perth Glory for the start of the 2008/09 season.
In January 2009 he undertook a week long trial at Dutch club FC Twente
. After the last game of the 2008–09 A-League season, it was announced that he would officially be transferring to FC Twente in a transfer deal rumoured to be worth A$
1.2 Million.
Rukavytsya scored his first goal for FC Twente in the club's 8–0 Dutch Cup drubbing of SC Joure. On 8 January 2010, KSV Roeselare signed the Australia
n forward on loan until the end of the season.
On 14 July 2010, Rukavytsya signed for 2. Bundesliga side Hertha BSC. His first season in the 2. Bundesliga was quite successful. He was a regular starter, scored four goals and ended the season with 12 assists, the second most in the league. At seasons end, Hertha BSC were promoted back to the Bundesliga
and he hopes to feature again for the newly promoted team.
at the 2008 Summer Olympics
, locking his commitment to Australia.
After a good end to the 2007/08 season he earned himself a place in the Olyroos squad for the Beijing Olympics and a Socceroos call-up.
Rukavytsya scored in a warm-up game for the Olyroos against Adelaide United. He also scored his first international goal for the Australian U-23's, in their 3–0 win over Croatian U-21's at the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia on 16 May 2008.
Rukavytsya was named in Pim Verbeek's 23 man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He made two appearances off the bench for the Socceroos.
With FC Twente
: Eredivisie
: 2009–10
With Hertha BSC: 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
: 2010-11
Champions
Ukrainian SSR
The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic or in short, the Ukrainian SSR was a sovereign Soviet Socialist state and one of the fifteen constituent republics of the Soviet Union lasting from its inception in 1922 to the breakup in 1991...
) is a Ukrainian-Australian
Ukrainian Australian
The Ukrainians are an ethnic minority in Australia, numbering about 20,000 people, hence making up 0.16% of the total population. Currently, the main concentrations of Ukrainians are located in Melbourne and Sydney.- History :...
professional football (soccer) player currently playing for Hertha BSC in the German Bundesliga. He began his career as a striker at Perth Glory but has since played primarily as a winger
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
since moving to Europe.
Club career
Rukavytsya was born in UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
; his family moved to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
when he was 14 years old, settling in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. He played junior football for Inglewood United
Inglewood United
Inglewood United is a football team from Perth, Western Australia. They play in the Football West State League, the top league in Western Australia. Their home ground, Clipsal Stadium, is located in Inglewood....
and Perth SC
Perth SC
Perth Soccer Club is a football club based in West Perth, Western Australia. It competes in the Football West Premier League.-Perth Italia:...
in the Football West State League while attending Mount Lawley Senior High School, before being offered a spot at the Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
on a football scholarship.
He joined Perth Glory
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
on a short-term replacement deal in the latter stages of the 2006–07 A-League season, making three appearances for the club. In March 2007, he signed a contract with the Glory
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
to keep him at the club until the end of the 2008–09 A-League season.
After an excellent pre-season, the start of the 2007–08 A-League season was difficult for both Rukavytsya and Perth Glory. However, with the departure of coach Ron Smith
Ron Smith (football coach)
Ronald "Ron" Smith is an Australian football coach, who currently works as Technical Director of Sydney Olympic.-Playing career:...
, Rukavytsya turned his form around starting by scoring two goals against the Newcastle Jets in David Mitchell's first game as coach and another two goals against Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
at home on December 2, 2007. By the end of the 2007–08 A-League season Rukavytsya managed to score six goals in the last eight games of the campaign.
In April 2008 he was invited to trial with Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
in Germany. It ultimately proved unsuccessful, and he returned to Perth Glory for the start of the 2008/09 season.
In January 2009 he undertook a week long trial at Dutch club FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
. After the last game of the 2008–09 A-League season, it was announced that he would officially be transferring to FC Twente in a transfer deal rumoured to be worth A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
1.2 Million.
Rukavytsya scored his first goal for FC Twente in the club's 8–0 Dutch Cup drubbing of SC Joure. On 8 January 2010, KSV Roeselare signed the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n forward on loan until the end of the season.
On 14 July 2010, Rukavytsya signed for 2. Bundesliga side Hertha BSC. His first season in the 2. Bundesliga was quite successful. He was a regular starter, scored four goals and ended the season with 12 assists, the second most in the league. At seasons end, Hertha BSC were promoted back to the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
and he hopes to feature again for the newly promoted team.
International career
While eligible to play for Ukraine, he decided to play for Australia and in 2008, represented Australia in the Australian U-23's Olympic TeamAustralia national under-23 football team
The Australia Olympic football team, more commonly known as the Olyroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia at association football in the Olympic Games...
at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, locking his commitment to Australia.
After a good end to the 2007/08 season he earned himself a place in the Olyroos squad for the Beijing Olympics and a Socceroos call-up.
Rukavytsya scored in a warm-up game for the Olyroos against Adelaide United. He also scored his first international goal for the Australian U-23's, in their 3–0 win over Croatian U-21's at the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia on 16 May 2008.
Rukavytsya was named in Pim Verbeek's 23 man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He made two appearances off the bench for the Socceroos.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | Domestic | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | |||
| Perth Glory | 2006–07 | A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007–08 | A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
20 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 | A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
19 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 13 | 9 | |
| Perth Glory total | 42 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 20 | 11 | ||
| FC Twente FC Twente FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys... |
2008–09 | Eredivisie Eredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Eredivisie -Personnel and sponsoring:-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:... |
Eredivisie Eredivisie The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | |
| Twente total | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10... (loan) |
2009–10 | Belgian Pro League | 11 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 2 |
| Roeselare total | 11 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 2 | ||
| Hertha BSC | 2010–11 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga The 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga was the 37th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 and ended with the last games on 15 May 2011... |
2.Bundesliga 2. Fußball-Bundesliga - Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20... |
31 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 4 | 13 |
| 2011–12 2011–12 Fußball-Bundesliga The 2011–12 Fußball-Bundesliga is the 49th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on 5 August 2011 with the season opening match involving defending champions Borussia Dortmund and will end with the last games on 5 May 2012... |
Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hertha BSC total | 39 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 5 | 13 | ||
| Career total | 97 | 25 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 33 | 26 | ||
Honours
Personal Honours:- PFA Harry Kewell Medal: 2008–09
- Perth GloryPerth Glory FCPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
Player's Player of the Year: 2008–09
With FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
: Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
: 2009–10
2009–10 Eredivisie
-Personnel and sponsoring:-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:...
With Hertha BSC: 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
: 2010-11
2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga was the 37th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 and ended with the last games on 15 May 2011...
Champions