Georgiy Sudakov Named Ukrainian Player of the Year for 2024
Georgiy Sudakov, the midfielder for Shakhtar Donetsk and the Ukrainian national team, has been named the Best Player of the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) for 2024. This marks the second consecutive year he has claimed this prestigious honor, as voted by players and coaches in the league.
In the 30th annual poll conducted by zbirna.com, 240 UPL players and 16 head coaches cast their votes. Sudakov earned overwhelming support, receiving first-place votes from representatives of 12 clubs. Of the 379 total points he garnered—49% of the maximum possible—92 respondents placed him first, 43 second, and 17 third. In total, 152 voters (59% of all participants) included Sudakov in their top three.
The voting system allocated three points for a first-place vote, two for second, and one for third. A total of 96 different players were mentioned in the ballots, highlighting the depth of talent in the UPL. Sudakov’s repeat victory is a rare feat, achieved only six times in the award’s history.
Top Three Finalists:
- Georgiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk) – 379 points
- Oleksiy Gutsulyak (Polissya) – Second place
- Oleksandr Nazarenko (Polissya) – Third place
Sudakov’s consistent excellence for both club and country continues to set him apart as one of Ukraine’s brightest footballing talents.