LANDON, AP – Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk, one of the most expensive players in soccer history, had an “adverse finding” in a routine urine test, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.
The Ukraine international, who was bought by Chelsea for $108 million in 2023, was contacted by the English Football Association (FA) following the finding. Mudryk stated that he had “never knowingly” taken banned substances, according to a statement from Chelsea.
The FA did not comment on the situation when approached by The Associated Press, and Chelsea did not clarify whether Mudryk had been suspended. Mudryk was last included in a Chelsea squad as an unused substitute on December 1.
“Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support the FA’s testing program, and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested,” Chelsea said. “Mykhailo has categorically confirmed that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the Club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding.”
The 23-year-old Mudryk has made nine appearances for Chelsea this season but has played only once in the Premier League.
The FA’s anti-doping regulations state that it is a player’s “personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters his body.”
Mudryk was one of the most sought-after players in Europe when he became Chelsea’s latest big-money signing under American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. It was widely reported that he was a target for Arsenal before completing his move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea. He was given an 8 ½-year contract, which is unusual in soccer.
However, he has so far struggled to live up to the hype and his price tag, making just 26 league starts.
