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AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth are delighted to announce Illia Zabarnyi has been rewarded with a new contract with the club.
The defender has put pen-to-paper on a new five-year deal, keeping him at Vitality Stadium until at least the summer of 2029.
The fresh contract comes off the back of a sublime 2023/24 campaign for the 21-year-old, who played an instrumental role in helping the Cherries total a club record Premier League points tally of 48.
Speaking about the new deal, Zabarnyi told afcb.co.uk: “I’m so excited and so happy to be here.
“I’m really enjoying it, it’s a beautiful town and a really exciting project.
“I’ve enjoyed a lot of good moments, last season was important for me. We achieved a record points total but we can do more, it’s a really great place to be and I’m pleased to extend my stay.”
Zabarnyi played 90 minutes in all but one of the club’s top-flight fixtures last season, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
As well as being a talisman in defence for the Cherries, the Kyiv-born star also scored a pivotal goal in AFC Bournemouth’s memorable home victory over Luton Town in March.
His reaction header helped Andoni Iraola’s side come from three goals down to beat the Hatters 4-3, the Cherries becoming only the fifth team in Premier League history to win after overturning a 3-0 deficit.
That performance also ensured the club won the Premier League’s Most Improbable Comeback award for 2023/24.
Following his phenomenal club campaign, the former Dynamo Kyiv man then represented his country, playing every minute for Ukraine in their Euro 2024 group fixtures.
He has since returned to join his teammates for the club’s Bourne In The USA summer tour.
On signing Zabarnyi to a fresh contract, AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “Illia had a remarkable season for us and showed great quality beyond his years. We’re delighted he’s agreed terms on a new long-term contract and are excited to see him continue his impressive development.”
