VfB Stuttgart have signed Artem Kravets from Dynamo Kiev on loan until the end of the season, the clubs have confirmed.

A good deal for all concerned

It is a deal that has the best interests of both club and player at heart. Stuttgart are in desperate need of a goalscoring forward after Daniel Ginczek picked up a lengthy injury during the Hinrunde, and it is still not yet confirmed as to when he will return to first-team action. Timo Werner has done well up front, although a partner may help him to excell in a bid to bring them clear of the drop-zone.

For Kravets, it is a chance to prove himself with regular game time ahead of the European Championships next summer. The 26-year-old has had limited involvement in Kiev this season, making just four starts. This comes after a campaign where Kravets was nearly unplayable, scoring 15 goals in 24 games for the capital club. He also has a reasonable record for the national team, netting five times through his 13 appearances.

Kravets is desperate to secure a spot in Ukraine's European Championship squad. (Image credit: kicker)
Kravets is desperate to secure a spot in Ukraine's European Championship squad. (Image credit: kicker)

Can he haul Stuttgart to safety? 

Sporting director Robin Dutt spoke about Kravets after he had passed his medical, "He is a striker of genuine international quality, which he has proven both in the Ukrainian championship as well as in the Champions League." Dutt also commended his "significant role" during Ukraine's qualification for EURO 2016, and admitted they had tried to bring him in last summer.

Dynamo Kiev announced the news a week before, although Stuttgart would not confirm a deal on their own site until everything had been fully finalised. Kravets should now join up with the Swabians ahead of their training camp in Belek, which will run from January 5th to 14th. The forward could make his Bundesliga debut against 1. FC Köln, when the top division of German football returns from the Winter break towards the end of the month.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]