In 2017, he had a brief stint with SK Slavia Prague, playing seven matches for the club.
After retiring, Rotan became the manager of Polissya Zhytomyr, continuing his legacy in football.
Ruslan Rotan is a former professional footballer from Ukraine, known for his midfield prowess.
Biography
Early Life and Background
Ruslan Petrovych Rotan is a Ukrainian former professional footballer, born in Ukraine. He began his football journey at a young age, eventually making his professional debut with FC Dnipro in the 1999–2000 season. Over the years, he developed into a skilled midfielder, known for his playmaking abilities and vision on the field.
Career Highlights
Rotan's club career saw him play for several prominent teams, including FC Dynamo Kyiv, where he made a significant impact from 2005 to 2008, scoring five goals in 50 matches. He returned to Dnipro in 2008, where he became the top assister in the Ukrainian Premier League during the 2008-2009 season. His tenure at Dnipro was marked by a memorable run to the UEFA Europa League Final in 2015, where he scored a crucial equalizer against Sevilla FC. Rotan also had a brief stint with SK Slavia Prague in 2017.
On the international stage, Rotan represented Ukraine from 2003 to 2018, earning 100 caps and becoming the third-most capped player in the nation's history. He played a vital role in Ukraine's journey to the quarter-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and participated in UEFA Euro 2012.
Legacy and Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Rotan transitioned into coaching and is currently the manager of Polissya Zhytomyr. His contributions to football have been recognized with several honors, including the Order for Courage 3rd Class of Ukraine and being named the Best Coach of the Ukrainian Premier League for the 2024-25 season. Rotan's legacy as a player and coach continues to inspire future generations of footballers in Ukraine.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Rotan's career started off for Dnipro in the 1999–2000 season. He played a total of 105 matches for Dnipro and scored 11 goals. He transferred to Dynamo Kyiv in the summer of 2005 and was given the number 14. In Dynamo, he played 50 matches and scored five goals in the Ukrainian Premier League. During winter break 2007–08 Rotan was transferred back to his home club of Dnipro. The transfer fee was undisclosed. However, he signed a three-year contract with Dnipro. He now wears the number 29 jersey. He became the top assister of the Ukrainian Premier League of the season 2008–2009. In the summer of 2014, after his Dnipro contract had expired, Rotan went on trial with Rubin Kazan, nearly signing with the club before turning down the offer due to the political situation around the 2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine. Rotan eventually signed a new three-year contract with Dnipro on 8 August 2014. In the 2014–15 season, Rotan helped Dnipro reach the UEFA Europa League Final in Warsaw on 27 May 2015, in which he equalised the score at 2–2 with a free kick against holders Sevilla FC, who eventually won 3–2.
Rotan made his debut for Ukraine on 12 February 2003, replacing Andriy Voronin for the final eight minutes of a goalless friendly against Turkey in İzmir. He scored three goals in seven games in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, going on to play three of their five matches (one start) as they reached the quarter-finals at the tournament. When Ukraine hosted UEFA Euro 2012, he played five minutes as a substitute for Voronin in their opening 2–1 victory over Sweden at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv. With 100 caps, Rotan is Ukraine's third-most capped player of all time. He was also on Ukraine's World cup 2006 squad. In the summer of 2017, Ruslan signed a one-year contract with the Slavia Prague club. He played 7 matches there.
Club
International
Scores and results list Ukraine's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rotan goal.
Managerial
As of match played 24 May 2025
- Club
- FC Dynamo Kyiv (2005–2008)
- Club
- FC Dnipro (2008–2017)
- Club
- Ukraine national under-21 football team (2001–2003)
- Club
- SK Slavia Prague (2017–2017)
- Club
- FC Dynamo Kyiv (2018–2018)
- National team
- Ukraine
- Club
- FC Dnipro (1999–2005)
- Club
- Ukraine men's national football team (2003–2018)
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Order for Courage 3rd Class of Ukraine
Legacy
As a Player
Dynamo Kyiv
Ukrainian Premier League: 2006–07; runner-up: 2005–06 Ukrainian Cup: 2005–06, 2006–07 Ukrainian Super Cup: 2006, 2007 Dnipro
Ukrainian Premier League runner-up: 2013–14 UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2014–15 Ukrainian Cup runner-up: 2003–04 Individual
UEFA Europa League: Squad of the season 2014–15 Ukrainian Footballer of the Year: 2016
As a Coach
Individual
Best Coach of Ukrainian Premier League: 2024–25 SportArena Coach of the Round: 2025–26 (Round 1, Round 7, Round 10,), Ukrainian Premier League Coach of the Round: 2025–26 (Round 7),
Clubs
- FC Dnipro1999–2005
- Ukraine national under-21 football team2001–2003
- Ukraine men's national football team2003–2018
- FC Dynamo Kyiv2005–2008
- FC Dnipro2008–2017
- SK Slavia Prague2017–2017
- FC Dynamo Kyiv2018–2018
Played together with
Abdallah SimaSK Slavia Prague · 2020- Abdulla Yusuf HelalSK Slavia Prague · 2019–2022
Adam HloušekSK Slavia Prague · 2009–2011- Adam HloušekSK Slavia Prague · 2011–2011
Adam PetroušSK Slavia Prague · 1996–2003- Adamas GolodetsFC Dynamo Kyiv · 1958–1959
Aderinsola Habib EseolaFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2009–2010
Admir MehmediFC Dynamo Kyiv · 2012–2014
Adolf ŠimperskýSK Slavia Prague · 1927–1936- Adrian SosnovschiFC Dynamo Kyiv · 1997–1998
- Aiham OusouSK Slavia Prague · 2021–2025
Akhmed AlibekovFC Dynamo Kyiv
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Ruslan Petrovych Rotan is a Ukrainian former professional footballer and current manager of Polissya Zhytomyr. He was a member of the Ukraine national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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