Dmytro Bogdanov: From Ukraine refugee to wonderkid at Dynamo Dresden

©TM/Dynamo Dresden

Volodymyr Bogdanov headed to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund as a 16-year-old. But that his son Dmytro would follow his path as a 15-year-old wasn’t something the former striker expected—or even wanted. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced Dmytro to leave his home and his club, Dynamo Kyiv, from one day to another. The family has since found a new home in Dresden.

“My father and my mother organized a driver, and he brought us kids to the train station,” the striker said in an interview with Dynamo Dresden’s club homepage. “From there, we took the train for two days, first to the Polish city of Chelm and then to Warsaw, where a friend of my father took us on and drove us to Dresden. My father stayed in Ukraine.” Volodymyr Bogdanov hoped that the situation would calm down quickly, but after five weeks, he had to admit that it was a false hope and followed his family to Germany.

For his son Dmytro, the time in a new country with an alien language without his father was difficult. “We had to organize so much, and I missed my normal life,” Dmytro Bogdanov said. “I tried to join different clubs. Our neighbours helped me and my friend to join Dresdner SC. They took me on right away and supported me, and I will always be thankful.” That helped him to make the next step just a few months later.

Jan Seifert, the head of the academy at Dynamo Dresden, contacted Bogdanov’s family after receiving a tip from Dresdner SC. “I wanted to make the most of my chance and did my best during the trial,” Bogdanov said. “Thankfully, it worked out, and I was quickly included in the team.” Bogdanov’s father was still in Kyiv when he found out about his son’s trial with the 3. Liga side. The father now works in Dresden as a teacher for Ukrainian refugees and is the assistant coach of Dynamo’s U14.

Bogdanov scores a brace in his first game for Dynamo Dresden

His son, in the meantime, started his career at Dynamo Dresden with the U17, where he quickly managed to hit the ground running. Bogdanov scored four goals and three assists in the U17 Bundesliga in 2023/24—which was quickly rewarded. At the start of September, he made his debut for the first team in a friendly against Bohemians Prague (7-0) and, after coming on in the 58th minute, scored a brace. Bogdanov was then promoted to the U19, where he has scored in both of his games this season.

Two weeks after making a statement with the first team, Bogdanov signed his first professional contract with Dynamo Dresden, which will keep him long-term with the 3. Liga team. “We want to integrate him into the first team slowly,” sporting director Ralf Becker said. In October, Bogdanov was nominated for Ukraine’s U17, where he quickly established himself in the starting XI and scored two goals in three games.

“I am very happy about my development and the opportunities provided by Dynamo Dresden,” Bogdanov said. “I still have to work on myself. I want to focus on school; I am attending German classes and want to absorb the language to make a step forward on the pitch as well.” While the war is ongoing in Ukraine, at least Volodymyr’s son has made the most out of a sad situation. “I don’t think he would have developed the same way over the last 18 months in Kyiv,” Volodymyr said. “The entire situation allowed him to grow on and off the pitch. We encouraged him when Dynamo offered him a contract. He is a family person, and we are happy that we have an option to be at the same place.”

There is significant hope in and around Dynamo Dresden when it comes to the talented Ukrainian. “Dmytro Bogdanov has an enormous presence in the air and works hard, which isn’t always given for an attacking player,” TM data scout Pasta1953 said. “He is a typical no.9, who likes going into challenges and is difficult to play against for the defenders. Equipped with a good first touch, he can secure the ball, which makes him a good target man. He needs to become a bit more clinical in front of the goal, but two-footed with a good header, he has the potential to become better in that area. Bogdanov also plays well against the ball. The entire package makes him an exciting player.”

Former Dynamo Dresden star Ulf Kirsten, who is currently working as a consultant with the club, is a big fan of the talent. “I have seen him several times, Kirsten said after Bogdanov had signed his contract. “The boy is a jewel. The entire package is class, and his family is very nice. If he stays grounded and keeps working hard, then he could become a great addition to the club.”

Bogdanov’s father never wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. “I was kind against it,” Volodymyr said. “Because I had the experience in football and had to do without a proper childhood. That’s why I didn’t want him to go down the same path, but he really wanted to and convinced me otherwise.” Of course, now that young Dmytro is making his way at Dynamo Dresden, the family is more than happy and proud about Dmytro Bogdanov’s development.

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2006 and 2007. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.