Insights on the Russian goalkeeper who created a stir at the European Championships.
Nikita Haykin, the celebrated Russian goalkeeper, has been making headlines with his outstanding performances for Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt, propelling them to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Haykin's heroics were evident during the quarter-final series against Italian giants Lazio, where he saved two crucial penalties, one of them with his face, sealing the deal for Bodo/Glimt. This triumph marked the first time a Norwegian club reached the semi-finals of a European tournament in their history.
The Man Behind the Mask
Born on July 11, 1995, in Netanya, Israel, Haykin comes from an intriguing background. As a child, he moved to Moscow where he honed his skills at Torpedo's football academy. At the tender age of 14, he began training with Dinamo, but had to part ways due to family circumstances.
In 2003, a criminal case was opened against Haykin's father, Ilya, due to alleged illegal acquisitions, seizures, and the organization of a criminal community. Ilya was granted political asylum in the UK in 2008, which allowed Nikita to begin training at Chelsea Academy in 2009. However, registration issues with the English Football Association (FA) led him to part ways with the London club.
A Traveller's Journey
Post-Chelsea, Haykin played for Portsmouth and Reading, but faced obstacles due to financial and bureaucratic issues. He then tried his luck at Portuguese Nacional and Spanish club Marbella, but failed to secure a work visa.
In 2015, Khaykin joined Russian club Mordovia, crediting coach Yuri Semin with saving his career. However, his tenure was short-lived, and he moved to Kuban soon after.
Khaykin's first senior club was Israeli side Bnei Yehuda, with whom he won the Israeli Cup in the 2016/17 season. Due to insufficient playing time, he left the Tel Aviv club. His journey then led him to Norway, where he found his home with Bodo/Glimt in 2019.
Norway's Rising Star
Haykin returned to Norway as a free agent after his contract with Bodo/Glimt ended in 2022. With the club, he has become a four-time Norwegian champion (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024).
In August 2024, Haykin made history by becoming the record holder among Russian legionnaires for the most matches played in European competitions, with 51 games under his belt.
In an unprecedented event for Norwegian football, Bodo/Glimt, with Haykin as their starting goalkeeper, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League. They defeated Italian "Lazio" 6-1 on aggregate, marking the first time a Norwegian club has reached the semi-finals of this prestigious tournament. Their next opponent is English powerhouse "Tottenham Hotspur".
International Ambitions
Haykin holds British, Israeli, and Russian citizenship. In 2024, he expressed his intention to obtain Norwegian citizenship and plans to stay in the country. If he secures citizenship, he may have a chance of being called up to the Norwegian national team, as stated by head coach Ståle Solbakken.
While Haykin has represented Russia at youth and junior levels, his future international career remains uncertain. Despite extensive research, it is unclear whether he has played for the Russian national team after obtaining British and Norwegian citizenship.
To gather more information, consider checking official football federation websites, browsing reputable sports news outlets, and consulting player profiles on sports platforms like Transfermarkt or Soccerway. These steps can help you uncover detailed insights into Nikita Haykin's international football career.
- Nikita Haykin, a goalkeeper who has found European stardom with Bodo/Glimt, is largely getting recognized for his exceptional performances, which have led his Norwegian club to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
- During the quarter-finals of the tournament, he displayed his prowess by saving two crucial penalties against Italian giants Lazio, including one with his face, securing a historic win for Bodo/Glimt.
- Born in Israel, Haykin spent his childhood years in Moscow, honing his skills in the Torpedo football academy, before moving to Saransk due to family circumstances.
- The renewed sports career of the Russian legionnaire has seen him play for Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt after stints with various other European clubs, including Chelsea Academy, Portsmouth, Reading, Nacional, Marbella, Mordovia, Kuban, Bnei Yehuda, and Saransk.
- Haykin, currently residing in Saransk, expressed his ambition to obtain Norwegian citizenship, aiming to represent Norway at the international level, pending any potential calls from the Norwegian, Russian, or British national teams.
