Former Ukraine goalkeeper swims across the Tisza, flees the country and signs contract with Belarusian club - media

Former Ukraine youth national team goalkeeper Denys Shelikhov has crossed the Tisza to join Belarusian side Slavia Mozyr, Sport-express.ua reports. According to the source, the 35-year-old footballer allegedly carefully prepared for his escape from the country for several months, going to the river to train to swim with fins.

The publication asked Shelikhov himself to confirm or deny this information, but he refused to talk to journalists.

"Who are you - a prosecutor? To ask such questions. Ask the border service. You did not ask me such questions, do you understand? You're nobody to ask me such questions!" the goalkeeper reacted sharply.

Shelikhov's last place of employment was Victoria, where he left as a free agent. Denys played 10 matches for the Sumy-based team, conceding 10 goals. The day before, two-time Belarusian champion Slavia Mozyr (1996, 2000) published an official introduction to Denis.

"I know the Slavia coaches well because I used to work with them at Luch in Minsk. We kept in touch and communicated. They invited me here, offering to work together, and I gladly agreed," Shelikhov said in an interview with the club's press service from Mozyr.

It should be noted that Denys Shelikhov is a graduate of the Children's and Youth Sports School-15 (Kyiv). Later he joined Dnipro, and since 2007 he has been involved in reserve team matches.

Since the beginning of the 2016/17 season, he has played in the starting lineup for Dnipro. However, since November, Andriy Lunin has been the main goalkeeper of Dnipro. On January 12, Shelikhov left the team as a free agent.

He is also known for his performances for Volyn (8 games/10 goals conceded), Belarusian Luch (16/25) and Islach (9/-14), Mykolaiv (6/-8), VPK-Agro (16/-24), Metalist 1925 (2/-2), LNZ (2/-1).

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