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Ukrainian teen footballers train with Leeds United

Sarah WakefieldYorkshire
BBC Teenage players from Ukraine stand and kneel in front of a goal with coaches either side of them. The four boys at the front are kneeling down and holding two flags with blue and yellow on them. The majority of the players are wearing a blue football kit and the two goalkeepers are wearing a red kit. The sun is shining and the sky is blue.BBC
Youth players from FC Kharkiv trained with Leeds United as part of a week of sport and cultural activities

Members of a youth football team from war-torn Ukraine have been welcomed by Leeds United as part of week of sporting and cultural activities in the city.

Leeds and Kharkiv became official partner cities shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the aim of creating what was described as a "lasting international bond" between them.

Under 15s players from FC Kharkiv kicked off their visit with a training session led by Leeds United coach and former Premier League star Brian Deane.

Deane said: "I like to think that sport overcomes everything and it's been an absolute pleasure to be involved."

Despite more than 30 hours travelling from their home city, and the challenge of a language barrier, the players were quick to respond to the coaching session by the Premier League side.

Danylo Pashchenko, FC Kharkiv coach, said: "I can see the boys are already very engaged and very excited.

"It's a nice change of pace and scenery for them. It is a great pleasure to work with Brian Deane and to play alongside him."

Six teenage boys in blue football kits, wearing red bibs, stand on a football pitch looking at a football coach who is dressed in white and giving them instructions. There are white and black footballs at their feet.
The teenagers' journey from Kharkiv to Leeds took over 30 hours

Egor, one of the teenage players, explained: "For me, football is a very important part of my life. I am a goalkeeper and it is a very important position in the field."

His teammate, Mykyta, agreed: "I am learning with the sport and I am trying my best to achieve all my goals.

"I hope that in the future my dreams will come true."

Members of Leeds' Ukrainian community and the Leeds International Aid charity arranged the trip, with the support of Leeds United.

Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, organises welcome events to the city for visitors from Ukraine, and that has included a friendly match between the teenagers from Kharkiv and Leeds United's Under 15s.

Sobel said: "I think it shows there is still international solidarity after four years for the people of Ukraine and Kharkiv with Leeds.

"It shows that the city stands with them. Football is a global sport and brings everyone together."

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