FC Chornomorets Odesa

Naming history

Officially in the Soviet Union Ukrainian teams carried both names in Russian and Ukrainian.

• 1926: Club formed FC Dynamo Odesa (out of Spartak Odesa)
• 1936: Dynamo was admitted to the All-Union competitions
• 1936: KinAp Odesa entered league competitions at republican level (Ukraine)
• 1938: Pischevik / Kharchovyk Odesa entered league competitions at republican level (Ukraine)
• 1940: Dynamo football team dissolved, its players joined Kharchovyk which admitted to the All-Union competitions
• 1941: Club renamed Spartak Odesa
• 1942: World War II (club was dissolved)
• 1944: Club revived as Dynamo Odesa which qualified for final stage of the Cup of the Ukrainian SSR
• 1945: Club reformed as Kharchovyk Odesa admitted to the All-Union competitions
• 1950: Kharchovyk relegated and dissolved
• 1951: Metalurh Odesa (team of Kim Fomin) promoted to the All-Union competitions
• 1955: Club split reviving Kharchovyk Odesa in the All-Union competitions (in place of Metalurh, while Metalurh continued to play at republican level)
• 1958: Club renamed Chornomorets Odesa as part of the Odesa Rope Factory

Black Sea (pre-history)

At the beginning of the 20th century, in Odesa, within limits of Alexander Park (today Shevchenko Park), a construction started of what was supposed to become a pond. However, after the pit for the pond was dug out, the funding stopped and so did the construction. Soon the hole began to serve as a field for one of city's non-league teams. As the hole resembled a shape of the Black Sea, that was the nickname given to the field, and the team was named "Чорне море" Chorne more. And although that team is unrelated to the today's club, it was the first team in Odesa to play under that name.

Dynamo and previous names

See also: FC Dynamo Odesa

The official date of foundation of Chornomorets Odesa is considered to be 26 March 1936 as Dynamo Odesa. Dynamo Odesa, however, participated before that in the city championship since 1923 (the year of establishment of the Ukrainian football competitions)^[7] winning it in 1933. Dynamo Odesa itself was first called Spartak Odesa until 1926.^[7] In 1940, after relegating from the Top level, the club was merged with Kharchovyk Odesa [uk] that participated in the republican competitions (Championship of Ukrainian SSR) and replaced Dynamo in next competitions.^[7][10] In 1941, the club was reformed again when it was included into the War Championship (Top division) under the name of Spartak Odesa.^[10]

Concurrently in league competitions of the Ukrainian SSR, since 1936 in Odesa played another team Kharchovyk Odesa.

Until Chornomorets Odesa was bought out by Leonid Klimov sometime in 2001, the club's foundation was considered to be 1958.^[7]

Post WWII and Kharchovyk / Pischevik

After World War II the club was reestablished as Kharchovyk Odesa in the lower Soviet division (Class B).^[10] In 1950, the club lost its place in the play-offs to Spartak Uzhhorod (Zakarpattia Uzhhorod) and was dissolved. In 1953, upon the enlargement of the "Class B" competitions (Second division), the city of Odesa was represented by Metalurh (in Class B 1953, 1954) which soon was replaced again with already more familiar Kharchovyk Odesa.^[10] In 1957–58, there was established Avanhard sports society which adopted number of other smaller societies in Ukraine under its umbrella.^[10] In 1958, the Odesa city team adopted the name Chornomorets and represented the city's Rope Factory.^[10]

Recent history

The club was a founding member of the Ukrainian Premier League, winning the Ukrainian Cup and finishing 5th in the inaugural 1992 season. Chornomorets finished 3rd the next two seasons and 2nd during the following two seasons. They also won another domestic Cup in 1994. The club's most successful spell was achieved under the guidance of Viktor Prokopenko, and later under Leonid Buryak. At the end of the 1997–98 season, following big financial troubles and the sale of a number of leading players, the club was relegated to the First League.

They won promotion the following 1998–99 season, but finished in the second last place next year and were relegated again. Sometimes in 2001, the Klimov's Primorie company which owned SC Odesa along with Imexbank acquired the city's main team.^[11] In 2002 SC Odesa was merged with Chornomorets. Chornomorets came back up again for the 2002–03 season and enjoyed several decent seasons in the Premier League. They finished third in the 2005–06 season and took part in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup tournament.

Chornomorets were deducted 6 points by FIFA on 6 November 2008. It was confirmed by Ukrainian Premier League on 2 March 2009.^[12] The club managed to finish the 2008–09 season in 10th place despite the deduction. The 2009–10 season started badly with a 5–0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv and a poor run of form that saw the team finish the first half of the season in 13th place, just two spots away from the relegation zone. The club was relegated to the First League at the end of the season. It took, however, just a year for Chornomorets to return to the Ukrainian top flight for the 2011–12 season.

Following a loss in relegation playoffs on 27 May 2018 Chornomorets fans attacked the head coach of the club.^[13]

Soviet Union

Ukraine

* UPL – Ukrainian Premier League

Academy

In 1979, the Soviet team of masters established its football academy, which for that purpose was served by the local specialized sports school of Olympic reserve. In 2005, it was named after its founder and former footballer, Anatoliy Zubrytskyi.^[15]

Kit sponsors and suppliers

Chornomorets' kit was produced by local manufacturers until 1970, when Adidas became the first kit supplier.

More information Period, Kit sponsor (chest) ...

Period Kit sponsor (chest) Sleeve sponsor Back sponsor Shorts sponsor 1958–1989 BLASCO 1989–1990 Nisso Boeki 1990–1991 BLASCO 1992–1994 Pony 1994–1997 Reusch 1997–1999 Puma 2001–2014 Imexbank 2015 Euphoria Trading FZE 2015–2017 2+2 2017–2021 Gefest 2021–2022 Parimatch, Tavria V Parimatch Tavria V 2022–2023 Parimatch,[16] Allrise Capital [uk][17], Tavria V vbet Parimatch,[16] MTB Bank 2023–2024 vbet [fr], Tavria V Allrise Capital, MTB Bank 2024–2025 UPL.TV MTB Bank 2025–2026 vbet[18]

Period Kit supplier 1936–1970 unidentified 1970–1980 Adidas 1992–1994 Pony 1994–1997 Reusch 1997–1999 Puma 1999–2002 Adidas 2002–2010 Umbro 2010–2016 Nike 2016–2021 Legea 2021– Kelme

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Domestic achievements

• Ukrainian Premier League
  • Runners-up (2): 1994–95, 1995–96
  • Third place (3): 1992–93, 1993–94, 2005–06
• Ukrainian First League
  • Runners-up (4): 1998–99, 2001–02, 2010–11, 2020–21
• Ukrainian Cup
  • Winners (2): 1992, 1993–94
  • Runners-up (1): 2012–13
• Ukrainian Super Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2013
• Soviet Top League
  • Third place (1): 1974
• Soviet First League
  • Winners (3): 1961,^[19] 1973, 1987
  • Runners-up (1): 1962
• Soviet Top League Cup
  • Winners (1): 1990

International achievements

• UEFA Intertoto Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2007

Alley of Football Glory

On September 1, 2012, the Alley of Glory (Ukrainian: Алея Слави), as a commemorative site of the Chornomorets Odesa former footballers, was solemnly opened near the central arch of the Chornomorets Stadium in Odesa.^[20] The site is located within Shevchenko Park, next to the western entrance to the stadium.^[21] On the day of the opening, eleven nameplates in Russian language with memorable "stars" were laid in honor of those who made a great contribution to the success of the Sailors' team — Viktor Prokopenko, Tymerlan Huseynov, Volodymyr Ploskina, Akhmed Aleskerov, Igor Belanov, Vasyl Moskalenko [uk], Konstantin Furs [uk], Anatoly Zubrytsky [uk], Yuriy Zabolotny [uk], Semen Altman, Leonid Sevasteyev.^[22] Another plate is dedicated to the "12th player" — loyal fans of "Chornomorets" Odesa of all time.

The decision to include someone in the Alley is made by the public council of JSC 'FC Chornomorets' by voting on the proposal of the club administration.^[21] The decision is preceded by studying the opinions of fans, journalists, the city's sports community, and public organizations.^[21] In 2012, residents of Odessa were invited to participate in discussions about the candidates for receiving a personalized star and a commemorative certificate.^[21] For this purpose, a vote was organized on the official website of FC "Chornomorets".^[21] The addition of signs to the Alley is usually carried out on dates timed to coincide with City Day (September 2).^[21] Individuals eligible for placement on the Alley include players, coaches, and staff who have made a significant contribution to the development and establishment of FC Chornomorets through their work, as well as those awarded state and sports honors or honorary sports titles.^[21]

Exactly one year later, on September 1, 2013, two nameplates were added in honor of Viktor Hryshko and Igor Sokolovsky [uk]. On February 19, 2014, two more plates were added to the Alley of Glory in honor of Valeriy Porkujan and Roman Hryhorchuk. On September 13, 2014, four new nameplates appeared on the walk in honor of Ilya Tsymbalar, Vyacheslav Leshchuk, Matvey Cherkassky [uk] and Vasyl Ishchak.

On September 13, 2015, the Alley of Glory was replenished with two new nameplates in honor of Leonid Buryak and Volodymyr Nechayev. On September 11, 2016, two new nameplates appeared on the walk in honor of Volodymyr Sokolov and Vitaly Serafimov. In September 2017, two nameplates in honor of Viktor Zubkov and Oleksandr Ruga replenished the walk. A year later (2018), a nameplate in honor of Volodymyr Fink appeared on the walk. On September 17, 2023, the alley of fame was replenished with two new nameplates in honor of Oleksandr Degtyarev [uk] and Oleksandr Polishchuk [uk]. On 14 September 2024, before the match of the 6th round of the 2024–25 Ukrainian Premier League between FC Chornomorets and FC Inhulets on the Alley of Glory of the FC Chornomorets Odesa was held a solemn ceremony of opening a new nameplate in honor of Anatoliy Doroshenko.^[23] On September 13, 2025, a new nameplate appeared on the walk in honor of Edward Luchin.^[24]

Current squad

As of 26 April 2026^{[update] [c]}
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  UKR Vadym Yushchyshyn 3 DF  UKR Vitaliy Yermakov (vice-captain) 4 DF  UKR Mahomed Kratov 5 DF  UKR Vasyl Kurko 6 MF  UKR Oleksandr Sklyar (captain) 7 FW  UKR Andriy Khoma 8 MF  GAM Muhammed Jobe [uk] 9 FW  UKR Oleksiy Khoblenko (vice-captain) 10 MF  UKR Vladyslav Kulach 11 FW  UKR Kiril Popov 12 GK  NGA Chijioke Aniagboso 13 MF  UKR Vitaliy Farasyeyenko 14 DF  UKR Oleksandr Kapliyenko 17 MF  UKR Ivan Kohut 18 MF  GEO Giorgi Robakidze [uk] 19 MF  UKR Mykola Kohut

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 MF  UKR Nikita Stepovy 21 MF  UKR Vladyslav Klymenko (vice-captain) 23 MF  UKR Maksym Lunyov 24 DF  GAM Moses Jarju 28 MF  UKR Artem Habelok (vice-captain) 30 MF  UKR Yuriy Romanyuk 32 MF  UKR Artem Prysyazhnyuk [uk] 33 MF  UKR Oleksandr Pshenychnyuk [uk] 35 GK  UKR Maksym Koval 42 DF  UKR Svyatoslav Kozyr 69 MF  UKR Artur Avahimyan 75 GK  UKR Maksym Nabyt 77 FW  UKR Vladyslav Herych (on loan from Dynamo Kyiv) 80 MF  PAN Anel Ryce [uk] (on loan from Plaza Amador) 94 DF  UKR Denys Gryshkevych (on loan from Polissya-2 Zhytomyr)

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Notable players

Note: Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries (national or/and olympic team) while playing for Chornomorets Odesa.

Club captains

Note: Only the person who has started the most official matches as captain within a specific period is mentioned. Official matches include domestic league/cup, european cups.

More information Period, Name ...

Period	Name
1991 [uk]	Viktor Hryshko[e][27][28]
1992	Viktor Hryshko[f] Yuriy Shelepnytskyi[f]
2003–2004	Valeriu Catînsus[g]
2004–2005	Viktor Dotsenko [uk][h]
2005–2006	Andriy Kirlik[i]
2006–2007	Andriy Kirlik[j]
2007–2008	Vitaliy Rudenko[k]
2008–2009	Gennady Nizhegorodov[l]
2009–2010	Vladyslav Vashchuk
2010–2011 [uk]	Oleksandr Babych
2011–2012 [uk]	Serhiy Politylo
2012–2013 [uk]	Dmytro Bezotosnyi
2013–2014	Dmytro Bezotosnyi
2014–2015 [uk]	Anatoliy Didenko
2015–2016 [uk]	Artem Filimonov
2016–2017	Artem Filimonov
2017–2018	Serhiy Lyulka
2018–2019	Serhiy Litovchenko
2019–2020	Volodymyr Arzhanov
2020–2021	Vladyslav Klymenko
2021–2022	Beka Vachiberadze
2022–2023	Illya Putrya
2023–2024	Illya Putrya
2024–2025	Bohdan Butko
2025–2026	Yaroslav Rakitskyi[m]

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First team