Viktor Kovalenko is a professional footballer from Ukraine, known for his role as a midfielder.
He began his professional career with FC Shakhtar Donetsk, where he played from 2008 to 2015.
Kovalenko won the Golden Boot at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring five goals for Ukraine.
Biography
Early Life and Youth Career
Viktor Viktorovych Kovalenko is a talented Ukrainian footballer born into a world where football is a passion. He began his journey in the sport at a young age, joining the youth team of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, where he honed his skills and developed into a promising midfielder.
Professional Career
Kovalenko made his professional debut for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Premier League on February 28, 2015, against Vorskla Poltava. His early contributions to the team were notable, including a significant performance on May 9, 2015, where he assisted multiple goals in a 7–3 victory over Hoverla Uzhhorod. Over the years, he became a key player for Shakhtar, scoring crucial goals, such as the winning goal against Benfica in the Europa League on February 20, 2020.
In February 2021, Kovalenko signed with Serie A club Atalanta, marking a new chapter in his career. He made his debut shortly after and was loaned to Spezia Calcio for the 2021 season. His time at Spezia included another loan spell in 2022, showcasing his adaptability and skill in the Italian league. In 2023, he joined Empoli FC, continuing to make his mark in professional football.
International Career
Kovalenko's international career is equally impressive. He represented Ukraine at various youth levels, including the U-20 team, where he shone at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring five goals and winning the Golden Boot. His performances have solidified his place in the national team, where he played from 2016 to 2021, contributing to Ukraine's football legacy.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of match played 25 May 2025
International
As of 11 November 2021
Shakhtar Donetsk
Kovalenko is product of youth team of Shakhtar Donetsk. He made his début in the Ukrainian Premier League for Shakhtar in the game against Vorskla Poltava on 28 February 2015. On 9 May 2015, he made his first direct contribution for the first team when assisting the fifth and sixth goals for Shakhtar in a 7–3 win over Hoverla Uzhhorod. On 20 February 2020, Kovalenko scored the winning goal in Shakhtar's 2–1 win against Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 32 clash. On 17 October 2020, Kovalenko scored twice in the first 18 minutes of Shakhtar's 5–1 hammering of FC Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Atalanta
On 1 February 2021, with less than six months remaining in his contract with Shakhtar, Kovalenko signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Serie A club Atalanta for a reported fee of €700,000. He made his debut for the club on 21 March, as an 87th-minute substitute for fellow countryman Ruslan Malinovskyi in a Serie A 2–0 win at Verona.
Loans to Spezia
On 8 August 2021, Kovalenko joined fellow Serie A side Spezia on a season-long loan. On 2 August 2022, he returned to Spezia on another loan, with Spezia holding an obligation to buy if the club avoids relegation.
Release by Atalanta
Kovalenko was released from his contract by Atalanta in August 2024 at the end of the summer transfer window.
Empoli
On 11 February 2025, Kovalenko signed for Empoli on a free transfer after being…
Kovalenko was called up by Ukraine to play in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. He scored two goals in a 6–0 victory over Myanmar and added a hat-trick against the United States to secure 3–0 win at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, as the team reached the round of 16. He won the Golden Boot of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup with five goals.
- Club
- FC Shakhtar Donetsk (2008–2015)
- Club
- Ukraine national under-16 association football team (2011–2012)
- Club
- Ukraine national under-17 association football team (2010–2013)
- Club
- Ukraine national under-19 football team (2013–2015)
- Club
- Ukraine national under-20 football team (2015–2015)
- Club
- Ukraine national under-21 football team (2015–2015)
- Club
- FC Shakhtar Donetsk (2015–2020)
- Club
- Atalanta BC (2021–)
- Club
- Empoli FC (2023–)
- National team
- Ukraine
- Club
- Ukraine men's national football team (2016–2021)
- Club
- Spezia Calcio (2021–2023)
Legacy
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ukrainian Premier League: 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20 Ukrainian Cup: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 Ukrainian Super Cup: 2015, 2017 Individual
FIFA World Youth Championship Golden Shoe: 2015 Ukrainian Premier League Best young player: 2015–16 Golden talent of Ukraine: 2015 (U-19), 2016 (U-21)
Clubs
- Atalanta BC2021current
- Empoli FC2023current
- FC Shakhtar Donetsk2008–2015
- Ukraine national under-17 association football team2010–2013
- Ukraine national under-16 association football team2011–2012
- Ukraine national under-19 football team2013–2015
- FC Shakhtar Donetsk2015–2020
- Ukraine national under-20 football team2015–2015
- Ukraine national under-21 football team2015–2015
- Ukraine men's national football team2016–2021
- Spezia Calcio2021–2023
Played together with
Abdoulay KonkoAtalanta BC- Achille CoserAtalanta BC · 2001–2002
Aco StojkovSpezia Calcio · 2002–2003
Adam KokoszkaEmpoli FC · 2008–2011
Ademola LookmanAtalanta BC · 2022–2026- Adrian MadaschiAtalanta BC · 2000–2003
- Adrian MadaschiSpezia Calcio · 2003–2003
Adrian PukanychFC Shakhtar Donetsk · 2000–2009
Adriano BassettoAtalanta BC · 1953–1957
Adriano Ferreira PintoAtalanta BC · 2006–2012
Adriano LombardiEmpoli FC · 1966–1967
Adriano NovelliniAtalanta BC · 1967–1970
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Viktor Viktorovych Kovalenko is a Ukrainian professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Olympiakos Nicosia and the Ukraine national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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