OSHAWA, Ont. - Fadi Salback is continuing his professional soccer career in the Ukraine. 

The former Ontario Tech men's soccer player has signed with FC Bukovyna, following his first contract with FC Podillya Khmelnytskyi in September 2020. The initial contract was signed after the Ridgebacks 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic. 

After his first season, he took three weeks off before starting to prepare for the next season through a workout and diet from Ontario Tech's Richard Bucciarelli. 

"When I came back to the Ukraine (after his break), I was training with my previous team, but was in talks with Bukovyna," said Salback. "The coach had a great interest in me and we began to negotiate my contract as well as my role with the team. After that, I ended my contract with my previous team and went to Bukovyna." 

In 2019, his last and only season with the Ridgebacks, Salback led the entire OUA in goal scoring with 16 goals in 14 games. For his strong play, he was recognized as the OUA rookie of the year, the first time a male soccer player from Ontario Tech has earned the award. 

He was also recognized as an east division first team all-star. It was not just within the OUA that Salback was successful, as his goal output also paced all players across Canada, leading to his being named to the U SPORTS all-rookie team. This was the first time a male soccer player from Ontario Tech was recognized nationally.

During what would've been the 2020-21 academic year, he finished his undergraduate studies in software engineering. He does have plans to come back to Canada to get his graduate degree, but says he was lucky to have a professional soccer opportunity, while studying online during his final year. 

"I am extremely grateful for my professors for understanding my situation and allowing me to complete things at different times if I had a game or was travelling at the same time," he said. "I am also grateful for coach Ramin (Mohammadi) for constantly checking in with me and making sure everything is okay."

FC Bukovyna's first game of the season is July 25.