Artem Dovbyk: The Towering and Impressive Ukrainian Striker

Artem Dovbyk is a two-time Golden Boot winner in the Ukrainian Premier League and the current Pichichi Trophy winner after his stellar exploits in La Liga.

He is a towering and physical striker in the mould of Edin Dzeko, Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku and their physicality, they are known for their imposing presences and clinical finishing in front of goal. Join Footballers’ Biographies, as we explore the life and adventure of the Ukrainian Hitman, Artem Dovbyk.

Player Profile – Artem Oleksandrovych Dovbyk

Artem Dovbyk is a Ukrainian professional footballer who primarily plays as a striker for Italian club AS Roma. He has made a name for himself with his robust physical presence, standing at 1.89 meters (6 feet 2 inches), and his proficiency in front of goal.

Dovbyk began his professional career with Cherkaskyi Dnipro and has since played for several clubs, including Dnipro-1 in the Ukrainian Premier League and has won the Golden Boot twice in the Ukrainian Premier League.

He is known for his aerial prowess, speed, and ability to hold up play, making him a versatile forward capable of both scoring and assisting.

Internationally, Dovbyk has represented Ukraine, famously scoring a decisive goal against Sweden in the UEFA Euro 2020 Round of 16. His blend of physicality, technical skill, and tactical awareness makes him a standout striker in both domestic and international football.

Player Profile Overview

Artem Dovbyk’s Early Life and Background

Artem Dovbyk was born on June 21, 1997, in Cherkasy, Ukraine. He is a product of the FC Cherkaskyi Dnipro Academy, having graduated from the Olympic Reserve Specialized Sports School Slavutych in Cherkasy.

From a young age, it was evident that Dovbyk had a natural talent for football. Dovbyk was very impressive as he rose through the ranks. Artem Dovbyk quickly rose through the ranks to make his professional debut for Cherkaskyi Dnipro at the tender age of 17.

Playing Style and Strength

Artem Dovbyk is a dynamic striker who combines physicality, speed, and clinical finishing. His imposing stature and aerial prowess make him a dominant force in the box, while his pace and agility allow him to excel in counter-attacking situations.

Dovbyk’s technical skill and work rate make him a well-rounded forward capable of contributing to both offensive and defensive phases of play.

Artem Dovbyk’s Career Highlights

Artem Dovbyk is a product of the FC Cherkaskyi Dnipro Academy and the Olympic Reserve Specialized Sports School Slavutych in Cherkasy and made his debut on 26 July 2014 against Skala.

He netted his first goal a month later on 16 August, at 17 years and 55 days old, becoming the youngest scorer in his club’s history during a 3–1 win over Krystal Kherson in 2014.

On 12 October that year, he scored his first hat-trick in a 5–0 victory against Arsenal Bila Tserkva. Dovbyk finished the 2014–15 season with seven goals, helping his team win the Ukrainian Second League.

From FC Cherkaskyi Dnipro to FC Dnipro

In the summer of 2015, Artem Dovbyk signed with FC Dnipro and in the following year, he was loaned for three months to Moldovan club FC Zaria Bălți, where he won the Moldovan Cup.

He then scored six goals for FC Dnipro, earning the 2016–17 Ukrainian Premier League Best Young Player award. Artem Dovbyk’s impressive performance led Ukraine national team coach Andriy Shevchenko to call him up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Artem Dovbyk Moves to Belgium

After FC Dnipro was relegated due to debt, Artem Dovbyk stayed with the club, scoring 12 goals in 13 games in the Ukrainian Second League. This attracted interest from foreign clubs, leading to his free transfer to Danish club FC Midtjylland in 2018.

While playing with Midtjylland, Artem Dovbyk won the 2017-18 Danish Superliga and the 2018-19 Danish Cup playing alongside Nigerian midfield star Frank Onyeka.

He enjoyed more success in Denmark after he was loaned to SønderjyskE for the 2019–20 season, where he won the Danish Cup again.

Artem Dovbyk’s Return to Ukraine

After two years in Denmark and struggling for playing time and experiencing goal droughts, Artem Dovbyk returned to Ukraine signing with SC Dnipro-1, a recently promoted to the Ukrainian Premier League.

While his league performance was below expectations, he excelled in the Ukrainian Cup, scoring four goals in three games and becoming one of the top scorers in the tournament.

When the 2021–22 season was cancelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Dovbyk temporarily joined Dynamo Kyiv for charity matches in Europe to maintain his form.

The following season, Artem Dovbyk scored two hat-tricks for Dnipro-1 against Zorya Luhansk and Kolos Kovalivka, becoming only the tenth player in league history to achieve this. He finished the season as the top scorer with 24 goals.

The Most Expensive Girona Player Ever

After catching the eyes of several clubs across Europe with his impressive performances, Artem Dovbyk signed for La Liga club Girona until 2028 for a reported fee of €7 million, making him the most expensive player in the club’s history.

He scored on his debut on 12 August in a 1–1 draw against Real Sociedad and netted his first hat-trick in six minutes during a 5–1 victory over Sevilla.

On 4 May, Dovbyk scored his 20th La Liga goal and provided an assist in a 4–2 win over Barcelona, helping Girona qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time. He scored his second hat-trick in a 7–0 win against Granada on 25 May, finishing the season with 24 goals and winning the Pichichi Trophy.

Alongside Yan Couto, Savinho, Aleix Garcia and Ivan Martin, he helped Girona stay to compete for the La Liga title before falling way short and finishing 3rd behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. His performances were impressive enough to make Serie A club Roma pry him away from Girona for €38 million.

Artem Dovbyk’s International Career

ArtemDovbyk’s journey with the Ukrainian national team began with a call-up to the U19 squad but without any match appearances.

He later progressed to the senior team, making his debut in 2021. His most significant moment came at Euro 2020 when he scored a dramatic winning goal against Sweden, propelling Ukraine to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, they lost 4-0 to a Harry Kane-led England side who made it all the way to the finals.

Artem Dobvyk was called up alongside Oleksander Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko to represent Ukraine at the UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany. The former Girona Hitman played in all three matches in the group stages but failed to score as Ukraine finished bottom of their group.

Is Artem Dovbyk The Next Edin Dzeko?

Artem Dovbyk’s playing style can be compared to that of Edin Džeko. Like Džeko, Dovbyk is a tall, physically imposing striker who excels in aerial duels and holding up the ball. Both players possess a strong technical skill set, allowing them to dribble past defenders and link up play effectively.

They are known for their clinical finishing, both with their feet and their heads, and their ability to find space in the box. Additionally, similar to Džeko, demonstrates a good work rate and contributes defensively when needed, making him a well-rounded forward.

Idols and Influence in Football

Artem Dovbyk has cited Zlatan Ibrahimović as his football hero. Dovbyk admires Ibrahimović for his technical skills, physical presence, and confidence on the field.

Personal Life and Interest

Artem Dovbyk is happily married to his Wife, Yulia Dovbyk with whom he has a child with, Kira Dovbyk, who is a little over two years old.

Conclusion

Artem Dovbyk’s journey from a promising young talent to a seasoned striker is a testament to his dedication, skill, and unwavering determination.

With his lethal finishing ability, aerial prowess, and knack for scoring crucial goals, he has established himself as one of Ukraine’s most formidable attacking threats.

As he continues to evolve as a player, the footballing world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in his inspiring story. With his talent and ambition, there is no doubt that Dovbyk will leave an enduring legacy in Ukrainian and international football.