F. K. Shakhtar Donetsk, known internationally as Shakhtar Donetsk, is a soccer team from the city of Donetsk, Ukraine. It is one of the oldest clubs in Ukraine, with a loyal fan base and academy behind it. In 2002 they won their first league title and two years later they had the best period in their history, winning eight leagues, six cups, seven super cups and one UEFA Cup.

The FC Shakhtar Academy was founded in 2000. Since its launch, it has trained more than 500 players, including Yaroslav Rakits’kyy, Ivan Ordets and Viktor Kovalenko.