Max Kucheriavyi

Max Kucheriavyi
Personal information
Full name Maksym Serhiyovych Kucheryavyi[1]
Date of birth (2002-05-09) 9 May 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Kyiv, Ukraine
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
St Johnstone
Number 17
Youth career
2015–2021 DYuSSh-15 Kyiv
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– St Johnstone 33 (2)
2021–2022Brechin City (loan)
2022Kelty Hearts (loan) 12 (1)
2023Falkirk (loan) 13 (1)
International career
2019 Ukraine U17 1 (0)
2022– Ukraine U21 5 (1)
2024 Ukraine U23 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:43, 12 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:16, 26 June 2024 (UTC)

Maksym Serhiyovych Kucheryavyi (Ukrainian: Максим Сергійович Кучерявий; born 9 May 2002) is a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone.

Club career

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Kucheriavyi was born in Kyiv,[2] and played locally for DYuSSh-15 Kyiv.[3]

After playing in a youth tournament in the city, Kucheriavyi was scouted by Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, and travelled 2,500 miles between the countries to train, for a period of two years.[4] After failing to gain a contract with Hearts, he instead signed with St Johnstone on a three-year deal.[4]

At the start of the 2021–22 season, he moved on loan to Brechin City.[4] After a "brilliant spell" with the club, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances, he was recalled by St Johnstone in January 2022.[5][6][7] He then moved on loan to Kelty Hearts, and in March 2022 he scored the winning goal which guaranteed Kelty's Scottish League Two title.[3][8]

He moved on loan to Falkirk in February 2023.[9]

Kucheriavyi scored his first league goals for St Johnstone on 2 September 2023, scoring two late goals to earn a 2–2 draw.[10][11]

International career

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Kucheriavyi has played for the Ukraine under-17 team.[1]

In May 2024, he was called up by Ruslan Rotan to the Ukraine Olympic football team squad to play at the 2024 Maurice Revello Tournament in France.[12]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played on 5 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St Johnstone 2021–22[13] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2022–23[14] Scottish Premiership 4 0 0 0 3 0 2[a] 0 9 0
2023–24[15] Scottish Premiership 29 2 0 0 4 1 0 0 33 3
2024–25[16] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
Total 33 2 0 0 9 1 3 0 45 3
Kelty Hearts (loan) 2021–22[13] Scottish League Two 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
Falkirk (loan) 2022–23[14] Scottish League One 13 1 2 0 0 0 2[b] 0 17 1
Career total 58 4 2 0 9 1 5 0 74 5
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the Scottish League Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in the play-offs

Personal life

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Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kucheriavyi spoke about the impact on his family in the country.[17][18][19][20][21][22] He also launched a fundraiser.[23]

Honours

[edit]

Kelty Hearts

References

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  1. ^ a b Max Kucheriavyi at UAF and archived FFU page (in Ukrainian)
  2. ^ "Max Kucheriavyi". Kelty Hearts FC.
  3. ^ a b "'I hope my family are proud of me'" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ a b c Smith, Ewan. "Max Kucheriavyi: Ukraine kid's journey from Kiev to Brechin City via Hearts, St Johnstone and the 2018 Champions League Final".
  5. ^ "Max Kucheriavyi Returns". St Johnstone Football Club.
  6. ^ Nicolson, Eric. "Max Kucheriavyi has been St Johnstone's BEST player behind closed-doors and was recalled to stay, says Callum Davidson".
  7. ^ Chalk, Paul. "Max Kucheriavyi recalled by St Johnstone after brilliant spell with Brechin City".
  8. ^ a b "Kelty head to title thanks to Kucheriavyi 'x-factor'" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "MAX KUCHERIAVYI JOINS FALKIRK - Falkirk Football Club". 16 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Kucheriavyi hails St Johnstone 'character & belief'". BBC Sport. 3 September 2023.
  11. ^ Nicolson, Eric (2 September 2023). "St Johnstone comeback hero Max Kucheriavyi can hit double figures, says Steven MacLean after dramatic Dundee rescue mission".
  12. ^ "Олімпійська збірна України відправилася до Марселя для участі в престижному турнірі". Official UAF Website. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Games played by Max Kucheriavyi in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Games played by Max Kucheriavyi in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Games played by Max Kucheriavyi in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Games played by Max Kucheriavyi in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Kelty title-clincher Max Kucheriayvi: I call my parents every day back in Ukraine, I am proud of them". www.scotsman.com.
  18. ^ Nicolson, Eric. "Max Kucheriavyi opens up on Ukraine torment and reveals training with St Johnstone and playing for Kelty Hearts is his only release from the war".
  19. ^ Berry, Gavin (10 March 2022). "Max Kucheriavyi tells of fears for friends and family in Ukraine". Daily Record.
  20. ^ "St Johnstone winger Max Kucheriavyi speaks of ordeals at home in Ukraine". 10 March 2022.
  21. ^ "St Johnstone's Max Kucheriavyi concerned for family in Ukraine". 25 February 2022.
  22. ^ "St Johnstone youngster Max Kucheriavyi bravely opens up on Ukraine horror and fear for friends and family back home". HeraldScotland.
  23. ^ Chalmers, Robbie (4 March 2022). "Young St Johnstone star Max Kucheriavyi launches Ukraine fundraiser". Daily Record.
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