Olympique de Marseille have landed their first recruit of the winter transfer window: sought-after Ukraine midfielder Ruslan Malinosvkyi. The 29-year-old signed a loan deal for the remainder of the season - with obligatory option to buy - from Atalanta in Italy's Serie A.
Olympique de Marseille have been shaking things up in the middle of the season, off-loading or loaning out Gerson, Luis Suarez and Isaak Touré, and with the additional injury absence of attacking livewire Amine Harit, were in the market for someone exactly like Malinovskyi.
'An incredible left foot'
Following a successful medical on Monday, the 29-year-old Ukraine international put pen to paper on a deal that sees him leave Atalanta - where he had fallen out of favour - and land at OM on a six-month loan that will automatically become a definite move before the start of next season.
>> TRANSFERS: All the winter moves
"Ruslan Malinovskyi has an incredible left foot - a formidable weapon that allows him to be very adept at set-pieces and shots from distance," read a statement on Marseille's official website. "He is a very intelligent player who makes the game flow and produces a large number of key passes per game. Ruslan will use his experience and high standards to integrate quickly and offer an additional offensive solution to Igor Tudor's squad."
A product of the Shakhtar Donetsk youth academy, Malinovskyi had a championship-winning stint in Belgium with KRC Genk before racking up 143 matches (30 goals 24 assists) for Atalanta, taking part in three Champions League campaigns and topping the Serie A assists table in 2021.
Malinovskyi - who was a target for a number of EPL clubs including West Ham and Tottenham - will likely watch from the stands as OM take on Troyes in Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 18 action on Wednesday but, depending on form and fitness, could be a chance to make his Vélodrome debut against Lorient in Round 19 on Saturday evening.
