The Swans and the Ukrainian Enigma: Mykola Kuharevich’s Unfulfilled Swansea Dream

The news of Mykola Kuharevich’s permanent departure from Swansea City to Slovan Bratislava, following an initial loan spell at Hibernian, marks the end of a chapter that promised much but delivered little.

His arrival in South Wales in July 2023 was met with cautious optimism, a striker with a reputation from his previous loan stint at Hibs as a physical presence capable of finding the net. Yet, his time at the Swansea.com Stadium will be largely remembered for injuries, a lack of game time, and an inability to adapt to the demands of Championship football.

Kuharevich’s move to Swansea was a permanent one, reportedly for a fee close to £2 million, a significant investment for a club often operating with financial prudence. The hope was he could provide the much-needed focal point in attack, a robust forward to hold up play and convert chances. However, his statistics speak volumes about his struggles: a solitary goal in just 13 appearances across all competitions in his debut season tells a stark tale.

The primary culprit behind his unproductive spell was a string of persistent injuries. A knee injury kept him sidelined for a considerable period in late 2023, and various other undisclosed knocks punctuated his time, disrupting any chance of building momentum or finding a rhythm. This constant battle with fitness meant he was rarely available for selection, and when he was, he often lacked the match sharpness required for the rigorous Championship schedule.

Beyond the injuries, there were also questions about his suitability for Swansea’s playing style under various managerial tenures. Swansea often prioritises fluid, passing football, and Kuharevich, while strong in the air and capable of robust hold-up play, perhaps didn’t seamlessly fit into the intricate patterns of play the club often sought to establish.  Many mused that “The Mykola Kukharevych mystery really does need explaining.”  It was questioned as to why we put him in the match day squad on the subs bench, and continually not bring him on?  Others questioned whether it was the “data” that was keeping him on the bench but as the side struggled a little on the pitch the questions were asked more. The questions clearly  suggesting a disconnect between the club’s strategy and the fans’ desire to see a different approach, particularly given Kuharevich’s unique profile as a traditional centre-forward.

The decision to send him back to Hibernian on loan for the 2024/25 season was a clear indicator that he wasn’t in Swansea’s immediate plans. Back in Scotland, Kuharevich found more regular football and a degree of success, netting seven goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for the Hibees. This second spell at Easter Road, while not replicating his initial explosive form, was still a more productive period than anything he achieved in South Wales.
For Hibs fans, Kuharevich’s return on loan was met with a mix of excitement and relief. He had previously endeared himself to the Hibernian faithful during his first loan spell in 2022/23, where he scored five goals in 15 appearances. The memories of his impact, particularly his physicality and aerial prowess, were still fresh.

On a Hibs fan forum, one user, “Leith Loyal,” commented, “Good to have Myko back. Always puts a shift in and gives us something different up top. Unlucky with injuries but hopefully, he can kick on now.” Another, “Easter Road Regular,” added, “He knows the league, he knows the lads. It’s a no-brainer. Swansea’s loss is our gain, simple as.” These sentiments underscore the appreciation Hibs fans have for a player who genuinely contributed to their team, a stark contrast to his limited impact at Swansea. His goal against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup earlier this season further solidified his standing with the Hibs faithful, with reports highlighting his happiness and love for the club and its fans.

Ultimately, Mykola Kuharevich’s time at Swansea City will be categorised as an unsuccessful venture. The combination of debilitating injuries and perhaps a stylistic mismatch with the club’s tactical vision prevented him from showcasing the talent that had made him such a popular figure in Edinburgh. For Swansea, it represents a considerable outlay on a player who never truly got going, a recruitment decision that, in hindsight, didn’t pay off. For Kuharevich, the move to Slovan Bratislava offers a fresh start and the chance to finally put his injury woes behind him and rediscover the consistent form that first caught the eye.

As the curtain falls on his Swansea chapter, both player and club will undoubtedly hope for more fruitful paths ahead.