Israel
Johnny on the Spot
The Dragoons only Israeli national, Yuri played a lot of futsal in his younger days. At 16, he joined Beitar Petah Tikva, before moving on to a better standard at Machne Jehuda a year later.
Due to National Service, Samyonov had to quit football at 18 to serve in the Israeli Defence Force.
Yuri mainly played 6-a-side football in the years after his service and on moving to Kraków, he found out about the Dragoons via an ex-player. After messaging club president Alex Băcica, Yuri showcased his talent in a trial match. Samyonov pointed out that he played the game with an injury and struggled throughout the match, but managed to impress the coaching staff to join the club.
Samyonov played fantastically well in the second half of the 2020/21 season grabbing his first goal away to Opatkowianka after the COVID restart. A famed Nowak long-throw proved too hot for the keeper to hold with the ball falling to the feet of the Israeli. He slalomed on the spot and passed the ball into an unguarded net to open his account. His second goal was a rare header, finding space in the box to direct Krzysztof Musiał cross past the goalkeeper.
The attacker has played as central striker and is equally adept on either flank. Yuri has a nose to be in the right place at the right time and has steadily increased his goalscoring tally over time.
Yuri won the most improved player award in the 2020/21 at the Dragoons End of Season awards and was top of the assists pile in the 2023/24 season.
#FunFact
Yuri is a big fan of playing in the Dragoons away games. The hostile crowds give him motivation to do better and win the game. Yuri said one of goals in life is to play at as many stadiums as possible. He especially likes the excitement of arriving to a new pitch and the surprises it holds.
