http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/twente-confirm-rukavytsya-deal-166486/ Actually I probably should've put this in the Aussies Abroad forum. His trial was extended and they obviously liked what they saw.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Moved- and good on him. Hope he progresses into a decent Socceroo!
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente his a top striker.. has he been capped by the socceroos? i believe his from Ukraine
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Not yet but I seriously doubt he would defect to the Ukraine. Questions were raised on Nikita when he was a surprise package for the Olyroos but he's proven the doubters wrong. I believe he will flourish into a great Socceroos player
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Good move for him, i think he will do well in Holland. Now only if we can get Nathan Burns out of Greece
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente He's already given his first interview over here. He says there were other Dutch clubs that were interested in him but the Twente coaching staff made the best impression on him and he'd heard positive stories from Jason Culina. He was indeed first spotted by Twente at the olympics. We now have a couple of attacking youngsters in the side, I'm guessing that they'll all be competiting for the same spots but as Twente are bled dry of their best players virtually every transfer window, his chances will soon come.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente I just hope Australia don't loose him to the Ukrainian's..... He's a quality striker this kid.... Bloody gun... Btw on Nathan Burns, is the guy warming the bench over in AEK or what?... Has he been playing?
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Burns hasn't played a game yet even off the bench. Out of a squad of 29 he's one of only 5 players not to have made their debut.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Wow... That's sad for such a talent... I hope he leaves if this is the case, i was very exited when he signed for them, because AEK is a big club, but i have a feeling he moved to early to a big club... Lets see what he does at the end of the year, maybe they will release him.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente I hope he serves you well. His finishing can be questionable at times but I think that will improve in the Eredivisie. Hopefully soon we'll produce someone of your namesake's ability and we can send him off to the Netherlands. No, I'm not holding my breath. Yet.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Quick update here as I have been and will be following his progress at Twente. He's already been on the bench for the first team, and played twice for the youth team. First match he got an assist, and second he scored a goal! He played left wing (1st half) and then striker in that match and actually from all accounts he didn't have to do much but it sounds like he played OK anyway. There's some doubt that he'll be able to step up to the first team without quite a bit of work but that's to be expected. Well done Nikita and hope the scoring continues!
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Nikita made his first team debut today vs ADO Den Haag. He was brought on in the 91st minute, so obviously didn't have much chance to make an impact but didn't screw anything up Well done Ruka and hopefully next time you'll get a few more minutes!
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente its a good sign if he's playing already. here's to more.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Well haven't been many updates but I just saw that Nikita played yesterday in a friendly against an amateur side. They won 9-0 and Ruka scored the 8th, after being brought on at half time. Doesn't mean anything, except that he's getting a run at least.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente And just read that he also played on the 20th in their 1st practice match, which they won 5-1. He set up one and scored one in that match too. All good stuff Next match 1st July. I'll keep an eye on it even though they're all pretty meaningless.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Ozzage, i'm not usually given to hyperbole, but seeing as your located where you are, i'm afraid that, whether or not you like it, you are hereby incumbered with - in this world cup year - a rather large responsibility of making sure that Australia fields the best and most efficient football team in south africa. this may seem overwhelming, but for months now this forum has seen you grow and develop as an autuer of football jounalism, and now is the time your country most needs you. To seek out minor, cold-rain-infested results, to gaze through the hideous bavarian mist: nay, to travel to brondby and basel, to burnley and cagliari, if needs be; anything, and most of everything. Jules Rimet will be there to soothe your frostbite and his myriad virgins to tweak the remote at your command. Here it comes..2009/2010. Heroes, Legends, Immortality, Ozzage.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente lol Some new meaningless results too... they've played two more matches since the last report. First they played on Friday night but Ruka didn't take part. Then on Saturday another match against another piss-ant opponent (no, not Adelaide away) and Ruka played the first 60 minutes. They won 11-0 (!) and Ruka scored two. He's getting a mix of comments in the fan forum. He definitely has some fans but there are also some expressing doubts as to whether he's good enough for the first team. Normal stuff I guess.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente Twente have just sold their young up and coming star Eljero Elia to HSV. He was playing as left winger or occasionally striker (as I understand it). He scored 16 goals for them last season, giving some idea of how important he was for the team. So the question now is, what does this mean for Niki? Unless they sign a new direct replacement then surely it can only help him getting match time with this guy out of the picture. There is discussion to this effect in the fan forum but some doubts as to whether Ruka can step up... they are big boots to fill!
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente He can step up. Every year there's a new criticism of Nikita, he answers them all. On top of that he's still just a boy learning his craft. All that needs to be worked on is his finishing skills. Once that happens, look out.
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente He does have one other major weakness, and your username gives a pretty clear hint I would love to see him step up - I really hope to see him succeed there (and for us).
Re: Niki Rukavytsya deal confirmed by FC Twente FC Twente played a friendly against German club Schalke 04 tonight, ended 0-0. Ruka came on in the 77th minute and by the comments in the fan forum gave a pretty good account of himself. Impressed a few people. Nice to see him getting time against good opponents, even if only in friendlies for now.