Ukrainian refugee, 12, signed by Dundee United FC’s academy

Stanislav Drabych worried that his footballing dreams were over after Russia invaded Ukraine

(Image credit: Sally Anscombe/Getty Images)

last updated 10 November 2022

A 12-year-old boy who arrived in Scotland as a refugee from the war in Ukraine has been signed by Dundee United FC’s academy. Stanislav Drabych was enrolled in a school that offered specialist training at home in Lviv. Following the Russian invasion, he worried that his footballing dreams were over. But in March, he and his family were taken in by an aunt in Angus, where his talent was quickly spotted by his new school, and he was put forward for a trial. “It’s like Christmas Day, I can play again,” he told the BBC. “If we stay in Scotland I’ll play for Dundee United – because they helped me, I’ll help them to win the Scottish league.”

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