The Ballon d’Or winner’s son will be hoping he can follow in his father’s footsteps, but he’ll be starting his career from the bottom
The son of Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko has signed for a non-league club in the seventh tier of English football following spells with Premier League giants Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
19-year-old Kristian Shevchenko had stints with both London clubs in 2022 and 2023, before moving on to Watford.
The striker, who boasts 15 caps for Ukraine at youth level, departed the Hornets earlier this summer but has now secured a fresh start with non-league outfit Sholing.
The winger has teamed up with the seventh-tier Southern League club in time for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round qualifier against Ebbsfleet.
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Sholing have collected ten points from their first eight league fixtures and currently sit in 16th position, reports the Mirror.
In a statement posted on social media, Sholing announced: “Join us in welcoming our new signing, Kristian Shevchenko!”.
“The 19-year-old joins the Boatmen having developed through the youth setups at Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, signing his first professional contract with the Hornets in 2025.
“Kristian also represented Ukraine at the 2025 U20 World Cup, bringing international youth experience to SO19. Welcome to the Boatmen.”
Kristian’s father, Andriy, claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2004 and enjoyed a stellar career across European football. He remains a legendary figure at AC Milan and also turned out for Chelsea and Dynamo Kyiv.
Throughout his career in Italy, Shevchenko claimed Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League honours during an eight-year period at the San Siro, spread across two separate stints.
His 2006 switch to Stamford Bridge saw him struggle to replicate the exceptional form he’d displayed in Italy, although he still secured League Cup and FA Cup victories.
Kristian’s career may not have begun in a way that suggests he’ll emulate his legendary father’s achievements, but he’ll be hoping his switch to Sholing can revitalise his prospects in English football.
The youngster has been a consistent performer for Ukraine’s U20s squad, yet failed to make a single senior appearance for Watford despite penning a professional deal with the club in 2025.
The Championship side released him during the summer, and he has now secured a fresh opportunity in Hampshire.