Krasniqi officially joins Ukrainian side

Ilir Krasniqi has moved within Ukraine and will now play for a team seeking the league title. The Kosovo defender from Kolos Kovalivka has transferred to Polissya Zhytomyr, which is expected to challenge for first place.

After the autumn season, Polissya is third with 30 points, five fewer than LNZ Cherkassy, where Muharrem Jashari plays, and the famous Shakhtar Donetsk.

Kolos is sixth with 25 points.

The 25-year-old was an important player at Kolos. He is also expected to be a major addition at Polissya. 

“The contract with the player has been signed for three and a half years. He will play in the number 16 shirt at Polissya. Krasniqi has experience in the Ukrainian Premier League, which will help him adapt more quickly to his new club. The 25-year-old is known for his work ethic, vision on the pitch and ability to operate successfully in the centre of defence and in the defensive zone. Ilir Krasniqi has made 17 appearances for Kosovo’s national team,” Polissya wrote, among other things, in its presentation of Krasniqi.

The team signed another player on Monday and has continued with several others. Meanwhile, on 25 December, it also signed Kosovo midfielder Lindon Emërllahu from Romanian club Cluj.

So Krasniqi and Emërllahu will be teammates in Ukraine. Baton Zabërgja and Ermir Rashica are teammates at Metalist 1925.

Krasniqi has played for Fushë Kosova and KEK, while he made rapid progress at Llapi. He transferred from Llapi to Kolos Kovalivka on 11 September 2024. He is now an important part of Kosovo. In the regular qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, he was one of the key players in defence. 

According to Ukrainian media, Polissya has set aside around 2 million euros to secure Krasniqi’s services.

He has played 36 matches in the Ukrainian league, and made 16 appearances in the current season.