Although he has struggled with injury problems, restricting his involvement in Ukraine's UEFA EURO 2012 build-up, Dmytro Chyrgyinskiy could be a major asset for the co-hosts with his defensive skill and experience. The long-haired centre-back's trophy-laden career at FC Shakhtar Donetsk was split by a disappointing 2009/10 campaign with FC Barcelona.

• Chygrynskiy moved to Shakhtar at the age of 14 and made his debut in the Ukrainian Premier League three years later, on the final day of the 2003/04 season.

• Made his UEFA Champions League bow as a last-minute substitute against Barcelona in December 2004 but played no domestic football that campaign and went on a half-season loan in 2005/06 to FC Metalurh Zaporizhya in order to gain top-flight experience.

• A semi-finalist for Ukraine at the 2004 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, he was a runner-up in the U21 tournament two years later, playing every minute of his side's five matches; earned his first senior cap on 7 February 2007 − after being unused at the 2006 FIFA World Cup − and remained an international regular through the UEFA EURO 2008 and 2010 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

• Gradually established himself as the cornerstone of Shakhtar's defence, playing a pivotal role in their 2007/08 domestic double and the following season's UEFA Cup victory.

• Played for Shakhtar against Barça in the 2009 UEFA Super Cup before moving to the Camp Nou soon after in a lucrative €25m deal; struggled to adapt to the Spanish game, however, and returned to Shakhtar after just one season − and only 14 appearances − for a reduced €15m fee.

• Scored for the Pitmen on his first UEFA Champions League outing since returning to the club – a 2-1 home win against Arsenal FC on matchday four of the 2010/11 competition.

UEFA honours
UEFA Cup: winner 2009
UEFA European Under-21 Championship: runner-up 2006