Hennadii Synchuk #18: The Wild Move That Had CF Montréal Laughing (and Winning)
That number 18 on the back of a CF Montréal shirt? It’s Hennadii Synchuk, a young midfielder from Manchenky, Ukraine, already starting to make a name for himself. Hennadii Synchuk, just 18, left Metalist Kharkiv’s academy and joined CF Montréal in 2025.
His move to Major League Soccer gives him a chance to test himself against faster, more physical players while soaking up a brand new football culture.
He stands 6’0 and weighs 176 pounds, usually playing behind the striker. He’s got the vision to create chances and the nerve to finish them, too.
His journey started in the youth setups at Vostok Kharkiv and Metalist Kharkiv. He earned senior minutes in the Ukrainian Premier League before signing a U22 Initiative contract with Montréal through 2028, with an option for 2029.
In 2024, he played for Ukraine at the UEFA U19 Euro and even got called up to the U23 national team. That international experience, plus his pro minutes in Ukraine’s top two divisions, makes him more than just a prospect—he’s already proven himself a bit.
You can follow his story, from Metalist to his transfer to CF Montréal, and see why people are starting to talk about him as one of the club’s most interesting young players.
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Hennadii Synchuk: Key Facts and Overview
He’s a midfielder with pro experience in both of Ukraine’s top divisions, youth international caps, and a recent jump to MLS. His path shows steady progress through academy systems and early senior football.
Personal Background
Hennadii Synchuk was born on July 10, 2006 in Manchenky, Ukraine. He grew up in Kharkiv Oblast and started out in Metalist Kharkiv’s academy.
From 2016 to 2018, he played in Vostok Kharkiv’s youth setup before heading back to Metalist. That move set up his professional debut.
He juggled school and football in Ukraine, skipping the U.S. college route and moving right through the local club system. Those early years gave him the technical base he now brings to North America.
Player Profile
Synchuk mainly plays in midfield, but he can slot into wider attacking roles if needed. He values positional discipline and ball retention, not flashy tricks.
In 2023, he made his Ukrainian Premier League debut, picking up one assist in four matches. Over the next two seasons in the second division, he played more than 2,000 minutes in 32 appearances and scored once.
Here’s a quick look at his career before Montréal:
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Metalist Kharkiv | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 210 |
| 2023-24 | Metalist Kharkiv | Second Division | 32 | 1 | 0 | 2,050 |
He played for Ukraine at the 2024 UEFA U19 Euro and joined the U23 national team that same year.
Current Role at CF Montreal
CF Montréal signed Synchuk from Metalist Kharkiv under the MLS U22 Initiative, locking him in through 2028 with an option for 2029. You can check out the club’s announcement here.
He wears number 18 and joins a squad that’s big on young, technical players. His job? Add midfield depth, fight for minutes, and get up to speed with the physical MLS game.
Since he’s still young and signed for a while, the club will likely invest in his development. He’ll probably start with rotation or cup games, working his way toward a regular spot.
Early Life and Ukrainian Roots
The details matter when you look at Hennadii Synchuk—small-town beginnings, the local football culture, and early exposure to competitive play. His journey from a village in eastern Ukraine to an MLS roster shows steady, grounded progress.
Birthplace and Family
Hennadii Synchuk was born on July 10, 2006 in Manchenky, a small place in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. The village sits just outside Kharkiv, so he had both rural quiet and access to a big football city.
His family stayed close to the community. Relatives worked nearby, and football was always a topic at home.
That discipline you see in his game? It started with parents who valued structure, not big-city academies.
Records of his earliest youth teams are a bit thin, but his family’s influence is clear. Kids in Manchenky play on rough pitches in all kinds of weather, learning to adapt fast. That flexibility helped him later in pro football.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 10, 2006 |
| Birthplace | Manchenky, Kharkiv Oblast |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
Growing Up in Manchenky
Growing up in Manchenky means limited resources but a tight-knit community. Local matches draw crowds, and kids train in mixed-age groups.
Synchuk’s first taste of organized football came through school programs. Training sessions were short and intense, usually on shared fields.
By age 10, he was already heading to Kharkiv for academy trials. The difference between village and city facilities was huge.
That back-and-forth built up his resilience and time management, skills he’d need as he moved up.
Influence of Kharkiv Oblast
Kharkiv Oblast has a strong football tradition, thanks to clubs like Metalist Kharkiv. Kids in the region grow up seeing players make the leap to the pros.
Synchuk joined the Metalist Kharkiv academy, spent some time at Vostok Kharkiv, then returned to Metalist to start his pro career.
Competition in the region is fierce, even at youth level. Matches can feel like big events.
Living near Kharkiv meant he often watched Ukrainian Premier League games in person. Seeing pros up close gave him a sense of what it takes.
That mix of local pride and real-world examples shaped how he approached his own training.
You can read more about his early club years on CF Montréal’s official profile.
Youth and Developmental Career
If you look back at Hennadii Synchuk’s early years in Kharkiv, you’ll see how structured training and tough matches shaped his technical and tactical skills. Time in different academies gave him a variety of coaching styles, getting him ready for pro football in Ukraine.
Metalist Kharkiv Academy
Synchuk’s name first pops up in the records at Metalist Kharkiv. He joined their academy before his teens, training in a program focused on ball control, positional awareness, and making quick decisions.
Metalist’s youth teams played against other top academies nearby. Coaches pushed players to adapt on the fly, a skill that would serve him later.
By the time he was ready for senior football, you could see the impact of that structure. He made his pro debut in the Ukrainian Premier League in 2023, getting minutes against experienced players and notching an assist in his first four games.
Early Professional Stats at Metalist Kharkiv
| Season | Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 210 |
Vostok Kharkiv Experience
Between 2016 and 2018, Synchuk made a detour to Vostok Kharkiv’s academy. That gave him a different environment, with more focus on versatility and adapting to various midfield roles.
Vostok’s coaches put a big emphasis on physical conditioning and pressing. You could see the results in his ability to cover ground and win the ball back quickly.
The club’s smaller size meant more one-on-one coaching, which helped him sharpen his first touch and short passing under pressure.
He also improved his off-the-ball movement, both defensively and attacking. By the time he returned to Metalist, he’d added new layers to his game.
Progression Through Ukrainian Academies
Back at Metalist Kharkiv after Vostok, Synchuk combined what he’d learned from both places. He grew into a more complete midfielder, mixing technical skill with tactical awareness.
Over two seasons in Ukraine’s second division, he played 32 matches and logged over 2,000 minutes, scoring once.
These years were more about showing up every week than racking up stats. He proved he could handle the grind of a full pro schedule.
In 2024, his performances got him a call-up to Ukraine’s U23 national team. He also played at the UEFA U19 Euro, squaring off against some of Europe’s best prospects.
That experience paved the way for his move to CF Montréal, with his years in Kharkiv forming the backbone of his career.
Professional Career in Ukraine
Hennadii Synchuk built his foundation in one of Ukraine’s toughest football environments. His early years in Kharkiv shaped his technical skills and match intelligence. By the time he left for Canada, he’d already played against seasoned pros and represented Ukraine in major youth tournaments.
Debut in the Ukrainian Premier League
You first notice Synchuk in the Ukrainian Premier League in 2023, making his debut at just 17. He played for Metalist Kharkiv, appearing in four matches and setting up one goal.
He didn’t start every game, but when he got on the field, he looked calm and kept the ball moving under pressure.
That debut season was short but eye-opening. It gave him a taste of the league’s pace and physicality and helped him adjust to senior football. It also put him on the radar for Ukraine’s youth national teams.
| Season | Club | League | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Metalist Kharkiv | Ukrainian Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 |
Performance with Metalist Kharkiv
During his time in the Ukrainian second division with Metalist Kharkiv from 2023 to 2025, Synchuk played 32 matches and logged over 2,000 minutes, scoring once.
He didn’t just attack—he often dropped deep to collect the ball and drive play forward.
Coaches noticed his work rate and ability to read the game.
The grind of the second division tested his consistency. Week after week against physical midfields, he had to make decisions faster.
That stretch solidified his reputation as a reliable young midfielder who could handle heavy minutes.
National Team Experience
You’ll spot his name on the Ukraine U23 roster in 2024. That’s a clear sign his club performances didn’t go unnoticed.
That same year, he suited up for Ukraine at the UEFA U19 Euro. He got a taste of playing against some of Europe’s top young talents.
For a teenager, these call-ups meant a lot. They threw him into new tactical setups and tougher competition.
International matches forced him to adapt quickly. No matter if he played central midfield or out wide, he kept that same calm, disciplined style he showed back at club level.
These experiences set him up for the move to CF Montréal and the challenges of Major League Soccer.
Transition to CF Montreal
When Hennadii Synchuk left Ukraine for Canada, he took a huge step in his career. At just 18, he arrived with professional experience from Metalist Kharkiv and the mindset of a youth international.
His signing shows how much CF Montréal values developing under-22 talent for the long haul.
Transfer Details and Contract
CF Montréal brought in Synchuk from Metalist Kharkiv on a permanent deal. The transfer falls under Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative, so the club gets some roster and salary cap flexibility while betting on a young player with upside.
He signed through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029. That kind of contract gives fans some peace of mind, knowing the team can plan around him for a while.
Synchuk joined just as Canadian midfielder Victor Loturi arrived too, hinting at a bigger midfield rebuild. For someone born in 2006, this contract length is a big deal. It gives him time to grow and adjust to the North American game without feeling rushed.
Contract Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Transfer From | Metalist Kharkiv, Ukraine |
| Contract Length | 2025–2028, option 2029 |
| MLS Roster Category | U22 Initiative |
| Age at Signing | 18 |
Adaptation to Major League Soccer
Moving from Ukraine’s league to MLS? That’s a real adjustment. The pace, the physicality, and the travel all hit different.
You’ll notice MLS demands more endurance, especially with those cross-country flights and all sorts of playing surfaces.
Synchuk will have to adapt to a league where midfielders do a bit of everything—defending, transitioning, you name it. His European training gives him a technical edge, but the North American style pushes him to make decisions even faster.
The coaching staff will probably manage his minutes at first. That way, he can build up confidence and fitness without burning out.
This approach helps internationals settle in and pick up on the tactical quirks that come with MLS.
Integration with Team and Community
Joining CF Montréal isn’t just about cracking the starting XI. You’ll see Synchuk working to gel with teammates during training camps, preseason friendlies, and actual matches.
Language and culture could be a challenge, but Montréal’s diverse, bilingual squad should help smooth things over. Plus, the city’s Ukrainian community might give him a sense of home off the field.
CF Montréal has a track record of helping young internationals settle in, often pairing them with veteran mentors. Expect him to lean on experienced midfielders as he learns the club’s style, both with and without the ball.
Getting involved in community events and fan activities could help him connect with supporters. That way, his move from Ukraine feels less like a leap and more like a fresh start.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hennadii Synchuk brings a good mix of technical skill and tactical smarts that fits right into Major League Soccer. His background in Ukrainian football, along with his time at the Metalist Kharkiv academy, shaped him into a disciplined and adaptable player.
Preferred Positions and Roles
You’ll usually find Synchuk as a central attacking midfielder or out on the left. At CF Montréal, he rocks the number 18 shirt and often drops into roles that let him link midfield to attack.
He can play as a winger, but he looks most comfortable in central spaces. He likes to use short, sharp passes to keep play moving and doesn’t shy away from receiving the ball when defenders close in.
His stint in the Ukrainian Premier League proved he can handle faster, tougher games. He’s also got some experience playing deeper, helping out with ball recovery before pushing forward.
Technical and Tactical Attributes
Synchuk’s left foot is his main tool. He uses it for accurate passes, set pieces, and those tight first touches that keep possession alive.
He’s good at finding little pockets of space between defenders. That lets him receive the ball facing forward, which opens up more chances to create something.
On defense, he presses high and tracks back when the team needs it. He’s not the most physical player, but his timing and anticipation help him win the ball without fouling too much.
Key Attributes Table
| Attribute | Strength Level |
|---|---|
| Passing Accuracy | High |
| Vision | High |
| First Touch | High |
| Defensive Work Rate | Medium |
| Pace | Medium |
Notable Performances
When Synchuk made his 2023 debut in the Ukrainian Premier League with Metalist Kharkiv, he grabbed an assist after just four matches. That kind of early impact in top-flight football? Pretty impressive.
He played more than 2,000 minutes in the Ukrainian second division, appearing in 32 games and even scoring a goal. You can really see his durability and the trust coaches put in him from those numbers.
After joining CF Montréal, he’s played both attacking and midfield roles. In a 3-1 win over New England Revolution, he stood out and earned a match rating of 6.6.
Honestly, his knack for keeping up with the MLS pace is probably one of his best qualities.
