### Swansea City Striker Bids Farewell for Permanent Move to Champions League Contenders
Swansea City have confirmed the departure of striker Mykola Kuharevich, who has completed a permanent switch to Slovan Bratislava. The transfer, which was finalised for an undisclosed fee, marks the end of Kuharevich’s relatively brief and challenging stint in south Wales. The Ukrainian forward will now set his sights on competing in European football’s elite competition.
The 23-year-old arrived at Swansea in 2023 from French side Troyes, commanding a transfer fee reputed to be close to £2 million. His signing was initially met with optimism, with supporters hopeful he would bolster the Swans’ attacking options in the Championship. However, Kuharevich struggled to adapt to the pace and demands of English football, managing only a single goal in 13 league appearances during his debut season at the club.
Given his difficulties securing a consistent role at Swansea, Kuharevich was loaned out to Scottish side Hibernian for the following campaign – a destination that brought him a measure of personal redemption. While at Hibs, he showed glimpses of the promise that prompted Swansea to sign him, scoring seven times across 28 appearances in all competitions. Despite this improvement, Swansea’s coaching staff were reportedly unconvinced about his prospects as a long-term fixture in their squad.
With first team opportunities looking limited at the Swansea.com Stadium, Kuharevich has now accepted a new challenge on the continent, signing a four-year deal with Slovan Bratislava. The Slovakian club, traditional powerhouses in their domestic league, recently secured their 23rd national title and will feature in the qualifying rounds of next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Ivan Kmotrík Jr, Slovan’s general director, commented on the acquisition, expressing his satisfaction at bringing Kuharevich on board: “We were monitoring Mykola during his loan in Scotland and saw qualities in him that will be valuable for us. He has a blend of physical presence and technical skill, and his international experience will create more competition up front. We’re very pleased to have reached an agreement and look forward to seeing his impact.”
Kuharevich himself spoke positively about the move, reflecting on his time in Scotland as a springboard for his career. “Last season was the best of my career so far, finishing third in the Scottish Premiership,” he said. “Joining Slovan Bratislava is a major step, and I’m relishing the opportunity to play for such a prominent club. The atmosphere at Tehelné Pole and the city itself are fantastic, and I hope to contribute with goals and strong performances.”
Swansea City, for their part, have acknowledged the striker’s exit with a brief statement, wishing him well for the future. It brings an end to a tenure that, while filled with early promise, ultimately failed to translate into consistency or heightened returns on the pitch.
For Slovan Bratislava, Kuharevich’s arrival is expected to deepen their attacking pool as they prepare for both domestic campaigns and European clashes. The club sees his distinct playing style and ability as an asset, particularly as they seek to maintain their dominance in Slovakia and make strides in continental competitions.
Kuharevich’s career trajectory so far exemplifies the unpredictable nature of football transfers, with highly-touted signings sometimes failing to make the intended impact in new surroundings. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old now embarks on a fresh chapter, hopeful that his move to central Europe will see him fulfil the potential he showed earlier in his career.
While Swansea City focus on rebuilding for the upcoming Championship campaign, attention in Slovakia will now turn to how the young striker adapts to a new league, and whether he can make his mark on the grand stage of the Champions League qualifiers. The eyes of both sets of supporters will no doubt watch his progress with keen interest.