Artem Stepanov emerges as Eredivisie scoring force

Artem Stepanov has become one of the Eredivisie’s most prominent young scorers, although his form has not lifted FC Utrecht from a difficult start. The Ukrainian striker has made an immediate impact in the Netherlands during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 campaign.

The 19-year-old has scored five times in five league appearances, finding the net against AZ Alkmaar, Sparta Rotterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Go Ahead Eagles and Excelsior Rotterdam. That run follows a promising first half-season at Utrecht, when he registered four goals in 13 matches. The club nevertheless sits 14th in the Eredivisie.

Standing 1.92 metres tall, Stepanov has been likened in the Netherlands to Erling Haaland because of his physical profile and appearance. He was born in Lutsk and developed at Bayer Leverkusen’s academy, scoring 27 times for the club’s under-17 side and 22 goals in 25 under-19 matches. His father, Roman Stepanov, was also a professional footballer.

Stepanov’s profile grew further after a recent interview exchange in which he said he did not know Rafael van der Vaart, who scored in each of the first five Eredivisie rounds in 2001. The Ukrainian youth international joined Utrecht on loan from Leverkusen in January. The agreement includes a €2 million purchase option, while Leverkusen retains a priority buy-back clause worth €4m.