Mkhitaryan makes short move to Shakhtar
Monday, August 30, 2010
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Ukrainian titleholders FC Shakhtar Donetsk have signed the 21-year-old Armenia midfielder Henrik Mkhitaryan from city rivals FC Metalurh Donetsk on a five-year contract.
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Midfielder Henrik Mkhitaryan has left FC Metalurh Donetsk for city rivals and UEFA Champions League contenders FC Shakhtar Donetsk in a reported €6m transfer.
The 2009 Armenian player of the year has signed a five-year contract with the Pitmen, who top the Ukrainian top flight eight matches into the 2010/11 campaign. Capped 14 times by Armenia, the 21-year-old started his career with home-town club FC Pyunik, helping them to four successive league titles between 2006 and 2009 with 30 goals in 69 games. He joined Metalurh last summer, featuring 29 times in his first term, and began this season with three goals in seven matches.
"Mircea Lucescu first noticed Mkhitaryan when he was at Pyunik," said Shakhtar director Serhiy Palkyn. "He showed his qualities at Metalurh and became a leader of their team. Hopefully he can fulfil his potential at our club." Shakhtar kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against FK Partizan on 15 September, with SC Braga and Arsenal FC their other opponents in Group H.
