Michael Yokhin

Jan 16, 2025 | theguardian.com | Michael Yokhin

Abdukodir Khusanov was born on 29 February and he is, without a doubt, a rarity. In four years the defender has gone from being discarded in his home country of Uzbekistan to play for a small club in Belarus before, this month, agreeing to join Manchester City from Lens in a £33.5m deal. Pending a medical, he will become the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League but – because of his success – perhaps not the last.

Jan 1, 2025 | theguardian.com | Michael Yokhin

Faced with a severe shortage of soldiers for the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s Russia started recruiting convicted criminals from prisons. A person can be immediately pardoned by the president just for agreeing to fight – and it does not matter how dangerous they are. The worst of murderers and rapists are able to get out and then hailed as national heroes by authorities. There are also criminals who have committed lesser crimes who are ready to gamble on their lives for freedom.

Sep 12, 2024 | theguardian.com | Michael Yokhin

Christos Tzolis (Brugge, 22)In 2021 Norwich had high hopes of the Greek striker, signed from Paok Salonika for £8.8m. Tzolis started his Carrow Road career with two goals and a couple of assists in the 6-0 demolition of Bournemouth in the League Cup but rarely started after that. Dismissed as a flop, he was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf last summer. The tricky and speedy left-winger flourished, finishing as the 2.Bundesliga’s top scorer with 22 goals and nearly leading his club to promotion.

Jul 23, 2024 | theguardian.com | Michael Yokhin

Yuriy Vernydub is busy preparing Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih for their Europa League qualifying campaign but unlike other coaches in the competition he knows the call from his military unit could come at any time. “I am still a soldier,” the 58-year-old says. “I haven’t been demobilised.”Vernydub joined the Ukrainian army immediately after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Jun 6, 2024 | msn.com | Michael Yokhin

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