The Ukrainian goalkeeper of “Maccabi” Haifa interested “Dynamo” Kyiv: there were negotiations, but no transfer

Ukrainian goalkeeper of “Maccabi” (Haifa) Georgiy Ermakov found himself in the spotlight after reports that the Kyiv club “Dynamo” showed interest in him. According to Ukrainian and Israeli sports sources in December 2025, negotiations did indeed take place, but the transfer did not happen.

This is not about rumors, but about an attempt by one of Ukraine’s most titled clubs to bring back a goalkeeper who, in a short time in Israel, became a key player in Maccabi’s starting lineup and attracted attention not only within the country but also beyond its borders.

Interest from “Dynamo”: fact, not hypothesis

As reported by Ukrainian media, “Dynamo Kyiv” considered Ermakov’s candidacy and made direct contact with him. The club was looking for reinforcement in the goalkeeper position and closely monitored his progress.

However, despite the negotiations, a return to Ukraine did not occur at this stage. According to sources, the deal was not brought to the final stage — and this decision seems logical, considering the player’s current status in Israel.

Status in “Maccabi Haifa”: rapid and confident growth

Ermakov, who is 23 years old, joined “Maccabi Haifa” after a period in Ukrainian “Oleksandriya”. Already in his debut season in the Israeli Premier League, he almost immediately took the position of the main goalkeeper.

At the moment, he has played 13 out of 14 possible matches, missing only the game against “Maccabi Tel Aviv” due to a shoulder injury sustained in the previous round. Five clean sheets and stable play under pressure have secured him a reputation as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the championship.

The club emphasizes another important factor: thanks to Ermakov’s Jewish origin, he is not considered a foreign player. This makes him an especially valuable asset for “Maccabi”, which is not interested in a quick sale of the player.

Not just sports: public stance and principle

Ermakov’s name became widely known not only because of his football performance. On July 31, 2025, he publicly refused to shake hands with players of the Belarusian club “Torpedo-BelAZ” before a European cup match.

This gesture was deliberate and principled. Belarus is regarded by Ukrainian society as a co-aggressor in the war against Ukraine, and the refusal of a formal handshake became a continuation of the stance that Ukrainian athletes have been demonstrating since 2022.

The episode was captured on camera, caused a resonance in Ukraine, Israel, and Belarus, and became a symbol of silent protest. For the Ukrainian and Jewish diaspora in Israel, this act was perceived as an act of solidarity and personal courage.

Roots and identity: Jewish school and connection with Israel

In one of his first interviews as a player of “Maccabi Haifa”, Ermakov directly stated: “In Kyiv, I studied at a Jewish school”. He emphasizes this as an important part of his biography.

It was in the Jewish educational environment that he formed a sense of community and respect for traditions. Ermakov’s parents moved to Israel in the spring of 2022, fleeing the war, and settled in Holon. He regularly visited his family, gradually adapted to life in the country, and began learning Hebrew.

For him, the transition to an Israeli club was not only a professional step but also a personal choice — an opportunity to play in an environment where his position does not cause pressure or ambiguous expectations.

Why “Dynamo” didn’t push through the transfer

Against this backdrop, “Dynamo Kyiv’s” attempt to bring back Ermakov seems understandable but belated. At the moment, he is already integrated into the structure of “Maccabi”, has stable playing practice, the trust of the coaching staff, and a clear growth perspective.

Moreover, his inclusion in the Ukrainian national team, participation in the Olympic Games in Paris, and the title of the best goalkeeper of the season in the Ukrainian Premier League confirm that he is a player who has outgrown the level of temporary solutions.

For “Maccabi Haifa”, he is not an experiment, but a long-term project. For Ermakov himself, this is a stage where sports, personal history, and civic position have converged at one point.

The story of “Dynamo’s” interest only emphasizes the scale of this journey: from a Kyiv Jewish school to the gates of the “Sammy Ofer” stadium, where the Ukrainian goalkeeper has today become one of the symbols of the new reality of Israeli football.
It is precisely such stories that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency records and preserves.