Ivan Varfolomeev has been named in Ukraine’s squad for their final two Nations League group matches later this month.
The 22-year-old is included in head coach Andrea Maldera’s 25-man squad, with a further nine players placed on standby. As reported by UA News, Ukraine travel to Northern Ireland on 14 November before facing Georgia on 17 November.
It gives our midfielder another opportunity to add to the senior cap he earned during the previous international window. Varfolomeev made his Ukraine debut against Hungary on 5 October, coming off the bench in a 2-1 defeat after receiving his first senior call-up in September.
Maldera previously explained that Varfolomeev’s experience in the Championship had been an important factor in bringing him into the senior set-up. Speaking around that first selection, the Ukraine boss highlighted the physical demands of the football our midfielder was playing.
The Italian also spoke about wanting a physically strong midfielder to complement the passing qualities of his other options. His latest selection gives Varfolomeev another chance to show what he can offer in that role.
It continues a significant period for the former Slovan Liberec man, who joined us in August 2025. Since then, he has helped the Imps win the League One title, collected our Young Player of the Season award and signed a new contract keeping him at Sincil Bank until 2030.
Elsewhere in the squad, Qarabag winger Oleksiy Kashchuk has received his first senior call-up. The 26-year-old has scored four goals in nine Azerbaijan Premier League appearances this season and was part of Ukraine’s Under-20 World Cup-winning squad in 2019.
For Varfolomeev, the immediate target will be further minutes after that brief introduction against Hungary. Getting into the senior squad was a big step, and retaining his place gives him the opportunity to build on it.
Leave a Reply