Artem Dovbyk: Girona’s Ukrainian striker on course to win the Pichichi in his first La Liga season

In his first season in one of Europe’s top five leagues, the 26-year-old is the top scorer of Spain’s top division, two goals ahead of Alexander Sorloth and Jude Bellingham.

With just five matchdays remaining in the 2023-24 La Liga season, Artem Dovbyk is on course to win the Pichichi Trophy, the prize given out at the end of each campaign to the competition’s top goalscorer. Never before has a Girona player or a Ukrainian won it, but the 26-year-old could change that as he currently leads the standings with 19 goals, two more than Alexander Sorloth and Jude Bellingham, his closest challengers.

Like Robert Lewandowski did last term, Dovbyk is hoping to lift the Pichichi Trophy in his debut season in La Liga. In fact, this is his first ever campaign in one of Europe’s top five leagues, having only previously played in Moldova, Denmark and his native Ukraine, and he has absolutely demonstrated that he belongs. Next term, he should be able to showcase his talents to the rest of Europe in the Champions League, as his goals have helped steer Girona to the brink of a maiden Champions League qualification.

At the Estadi Montilivi, everyone is delighted with what Dovbyk has been able to do this season. There was some concern among the fans in the summer after striker Taty Castellanos departed following a 13-goal season. However, Dovbyk was brought in from SC Dnipro-1 as the club’s most expensive signing ever and he hit the ground running, scoring in a 1-1 draw away at Real Sociedad in Matchday 1.

Assisting his first goal for the club was fellow Ukrainian Viktor Tsyhankov. The winger had spoken highly of Girona’s project to his international teammate when Dovbyk was considering a move, before he helped the striker to settle in during