Viktor Tsyhankov

Viktor Vitaliiovych Tsyhankov (; born 15 November 1997) is a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Ukraine national team.

Early life Tsyhankov was born in Nahariya, Israel, where his father, Vitalii Tsygankov, played professionally as a goalkeeper for Hapoel Tayibe and Hapoel Acre. After his father retired from active play, the family returned to Ukraine, settling in Vinnytsia.

Club career Youth career Tsyhankov began his youth development at the Nyva Vinnytsia youth academy under coach Mykola Zahoruyko. In 2011, at age 13, he transferred to the Dynamo Kyiv academy, progressing through their youth categories and competing in the Ukrainian Youth Football League (DUFL).

Dynamo Kyiv Tsyhankov made his senior competitive debut in the Ukrainian Premier League for Dynamo Kyiv on 14 August 2016, appearing as a substitute against FC Stal Kamianske. Shortly after, on 24 September 2016, he netted his first senior league goal in a 4–0 victory over FC Olimpik Donetsk. On 28 September 2016, he made his debut in the UEFA Champions League group stage, marking the occasion with a crucial goal in a 1–1 draw against Beşiktaş.

Over the subsequent seasons, Tsyhankov established himself as an indispensable creative hub for Dynamo Kyiv. During the 2018–19 campaign, he scored 18 league goals, earned the Ukrainian Premier League Player of the Season award, and collected three Player of the Month accolades (March, December 2018, and April 2019). Under manager Mircea Lucescu, he played a pivotal role in securing the domestic treble during the 2020–21 season, winning the league title, the Ukrainian Cup, and the Ukrainian Super Cup. Across seven seasons with the Kyiv senior team, he amassed 236 appearances, scored 94 goals, and provided 64 assists in all competitions.

Girona On 17 January 2023, Tsyhankov moved abroad, signing a contract with La Liga side Girona running until June 2027. The transfer fee was reported as €5 million, with Dynamo Kyiv retaining a 50% sell-on clause. He made his debut on 5 February 2023 against Valencia and quickly adjusted to the Spanish top flight, contributing 3 goals and 6 assists in 19 appearances during his opening half-season.

In the 2023–24 campaign, Tsyhankov became an instrumental figure under coach Míchel, recording 8 goals and 7 assists in 30 league games (starting 26) to help guide Girona to a historic third-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

International career Tsyhankov represented Ukraine across multiple youth international levels, earning caps for the under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 national teams.

He received his first senior call-up from manager Andriy Shevchenko in October 2016 for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Kosovo, remaining an unused substitute. He made his senior international debut on 12 November 2016, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 qualifying victory against Finland in Odesa.

Tsyhankov scored his first senior international goal on 25 March 2019 in a 2–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying win against Luxembourg. On 13 October 2020, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 home victory over Spain in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A.

In June 2021, Tsyhankov was named in Ukraine's final 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020, appearing in four matches as Ukraine reached the quarter-finals. In May 2024, he was selected by manager Serhiy Rebrov for the UEFA Euro 2024 finals in Germany.

Style of play Operating primarily as an inverted winger on the right flank, Tsyhankov is known for his technical proficiency, agility, vision, tactical versatility, and dead-ball delivery. As a left-footed wide attacker, he frequently cuts inside into central half-spaces to generate shooting opportunities from distance or execute penetrative through balls for advancing teammates. During his earlier development at Dynamo Kyiv, he was occasionally utilized on the left wing, whereas at Girona he was also deployed centrally as an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a centre-forward. as well as solidarity with civilians affected by the Gaza war.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Ukraine's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tsyhankov goal.

Honours Dynamo Kyiv Ukrainian Premier League: 2020–21 Ukrainian Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21 Ukrainian Super Cup: 2018, 2019, 2020

Individual Golden talent of Ukraine: 2016 (U-19), 2017 (U-21), 2018 (U-21) Ukrainian Footballer of the Year: 2018 Ukrainian Premier League Player of the Year: 2018–19 Ukrainian Premier League Footballer of the Year: 2020 Ukrainian Premier League Player of the Month: 2017–18 (March), 2018–19 (December), 2018–19 (April)