1. Life and career
Serhiy Zakarlyuka had a notable career spanning over two decades in Ukrainian football, first as a versatile midfielder for numerous clubs and later as a manager.
1.1. Early life and background
Serhiy Volodymyrovych Zakarlyuka was born on August 17, 1976, in Nikopol, within the Ukrainian SSR. Standing at 73 in (185 cm) tall and weighing 185 lb (84 kg), Zakarlyuka embarked on his professional football journey at a young age, showcasing potential as a midfielder.
1.2. Club career
Zakarlyuka's club career was marked by his consistent presence across numerous Ukrainian teams, earning him the reputation of a "wanderer" due to his frequent club changes. He primarily played as a midfielder.
His professional career began in 1993 with FC Dnipro, where he made 3 appearances. He then moved to FC Elektrometalurh-NZF Nikopol (also known as Metalurh Nikopol), playing for two seasons from 1994 to 1996, with 41 appearances and 6 goals.
A significant period of his career was spent at FC Arsenal Kyiv, where he had two separate stints. His first spell was from 1996 to 2001, during which he made 135 appearances and scored 30 goals. Following this, he joined FC Metalurh Donetsk from 2002 to 2003, accumulating 40 appearances and 11 goals. In 2003, he briefly played for FC Shakhtar Donetsk, making 4 appearances.
He then moved to FC Illichivets Mariupol from 2004 to 2005, where he made 40 appearances and scored 14 goals. He returned to Metalurh Donetsk for the 2006 season, adding another 22 appearances and 2 goals to his record. His second stint with Arsenal Kyiv lasted from 2006 to 2011, contributing 101 appearances and 17 goals. Towards the end of his playing career, he played for FC Vorskla Poltava in 2011 (9 appearances) and FC Poltava in 2012 (6 appearances).
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Dnipro | 1993-1994 | 3 | 0 |
| Metalurh Nikopol | 1994-1996 | 41 | 6 |
| FC Arsenal Kyiv | 1996-2001 | 135 | 30 |
| FC Metalurh Donetsk | 2002-2003 | 40 | 11 |
| FC Shakhtar Donetsk | 2003 | 4 | 0 |
| FC Illichivets Mariupol | 2004-2005 | 40 | 14 |
| FC Metalurh Donetsk | 2006 | 22 | 2 |
| FC Arsenal Kyiv | 2006-2011 | 101 | 17 |
| FC Vorskla Poltava | 2011 | 9 | 0 |
| FC Poltava | 2012 | 6 | 0 |
1.3. International career
Zakarlyuka represented the Ukraine national team during his playing career. He made 9 appearances for the national team between 2002 and 2004, playing as a midfielder. Despite his consistent club performances, he did not score any goals at the international level.
1.4. Managerial career
Following his retirement as a player, Serhiy Zakarlyuka transitioned into professional football management. He served as a caretaker manager for FC Arsenal Kyiv from 2013 to 2014, the club where he had spent a significant portion of his playing days across two stints. This role marked his initial step into the coaching aspect of professional football, where he applied his extensive playing experience to guide the team.
2. Death
Serhiy Zakarlyuka's life tragically ended on October 6, 2014, when he was killed in a traffic accident. The incident occurred approximately 12 mile (20 km) outside Poltava, in the Velyka Bahachka Raion of Ukraine. At the time of the accident, he was a passenger in a car driven by his former teammate, Ruslan Levyha, who also sustained injuries in the collision.
3. Legacy
Serhiy Zakarlyuka left a notable mark on Ukrainian football, primarily through his extensive and enduring playing career as a midfielder. He was known for his dedication and consistency, playing for numerous clubs across Ukraine for nearly two decades. His long tenure in the Ukrainian leagues and his two significant periods with FC Arsenal Kyiv highlighted his commitment and adaptability within the sport.
As a player, Zakarlyuka's contributions included a substantial number of appearances and goals across various teams, solidifying his reputation as a reliable and experienced professional. His international career, although brief, saw him represent the national team, a testament to his skill and recognition at the highest level of Ukrainian football. His later venture into management, specifically as a caretaker manager for Arsenal Kyiv, showcased his continued desire to contribute to the sport beyond his playing days. His tragic and untimely death was a loss felt by the Ukrainian football community.