A new MLS season is on the horizon for Inter Miami CF, and with it will come new faces at DRV Pink Stadium.
Ukrainian international defender Sergii Kryvtsov signed with the club earlier this month, and completes the Inter Miami roster as it tries to get back to the postseason. His deal runs through the 2024 season, and there is an option of extending the contract through 2025.
At a time of upheaval in his homeland, Kryvtsov will try to focus on soccer, knowing that his family is safe. He wanted to come to Miami to help South Florida’s MLS team continue its success, but it was important for him to know that things are OK at home.
“I almost went to a team in Greece. After speaking with the president of Shaktar, we both agreed this was the best decision for me,” Kryvtsov said. “I have been following David Beckham on his Instagram account and I see the project he is building. We want to win trophies. … My family is safe in Poland.”
With an impressive resume that boasts 17 titles in 13 years with FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Kryvtsov will indeed be looking forward to bring the first MLS trophy in Inter Miami’s history to Ft. Lauderdale.
“I won a lot of trophies on that team,” he said. “It’s time now to bring trophies to Inter Miami.”
With experience in the UEFA Champions League, Nations League and Euros, Kryvtsov is a seasoned addition to the team. He has appeared in 268 games across all competitions, and there’s not much he hasn’t seen on the field.
“He’s 31 years old, we wanted someone with experience,” Inter Miami coach Phil Neville said. “We wanted a leader in the back for our back four.”
Kryvstov had a rather serious demeanor in his introductory press conference and Neville expressed that it is how he usually carries himself.
“When we met, he didn’t want any of the fluff, or b.s.,” he said “He just wanted to talk about football.”
There are high expectations for the upcoming season after Inter Miami made the playoffs with the sixth seed last fall.
After getting blown out on the road, 3-0, to NYCFC in that do-or-die postseason game, the offseason goal was to revamp the defense. And Inter Miami will get a chance to show that, when it opens up the season Feb. 25 against CF Montreal.
The game will be played at home in Fort Lauderdale. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.
