Tymur Butenko: The trust of Kryvbas's management and coaches motivates me to improve every day

Young Kryvbas midfielder Tymur Butenko has signed a new long-term deal with the Red-and-Whites. After spending three years with the U-19 squad, the midfielder proved his worth to the first-team coaching staff and earned an opportunity in senior football.

In an interview with the club's press service, Tymur shared his feelings about signing the contract and spoke about the importance of the management's trust, as well as his own ambitions and dreams.

- Tymur, congratulations on the new contract. How do you feel after signing it?

- I am very happy to sign the deal. I had been waiting for this and working hard to secure a long-term contract with a club that has already given me so much. I am confident that it can offer even more, just as I can contribute to the team. I will do everything in my power to ensure Kryvbas always competes at the highest level.

- How important is it to you that Kryvbas has extended your partnership?

- Of course, it is extremely important. I wanted to stay here for the long haul. As I said, I want to help the team consistently rank among the best in every tournament.

- What does this show of trust from the club mean to you?

- It is very gratifying. I value the club's trust, and I am ready for a long-term partnership. It is incredibly inspiring, making me want to work even harder and more productively.

- You spent three seasons with Kryvbas U-19. How much did that period help prepare you for senior-level football?

- Those were incredibly important years for me - both for the present and the future. You could say it was one of the fundamental stages of my football career.

- At what point did you feel ready to compete for a spot in the first team?

- There wasn't a specific date or moment. I was moving toward it gradually. Once the coaching staff and management saw I was ready, they gave me a chance to prove myself.

- What do you find most challenging about senior football right now?

- There are always challenges, but nothing exceptionally difficult comes to mind immediately.

- In what areas do you think you need to improve the most to get more playing time?

- Above all, it’s about mindset and self-confidence. I have confidence, but it needs to grow further. Of course, I also need to improve in tactical and technical aspects, since the Premier League is the highest level in Ukraine. There is always room for growth in every aspect of the game. The main thing is to keep developing and moving forward, and everything will work out.

- What goals have you set for yourself after signing the new contract?

- Only the highest ones: helping Kryvbas win consistently and compete at the top of the table. On a personal level, my goal is to progress and develop every day.

- What are your footballing dreams for the next few years?

- I dream of getting a call-up to the Ukrainian national team - I think that’s every footballer's goal. And, of course, playing in the Champions League.

- Would you say the new contract has given you extra motivation to work even harder?

- Undoubtedly, one hundred percent. I feel the support and trust of the club and the management, and that motivates me even more to improve. I want to prove that the trust placed in me was well-founded.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih