Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell has raved about Timur Tutierov after another promising performance since his arrival from Sunderland.
The Ukrainian moved to St. James’ Park on loan in January from Wearside, and has made an immediate impact for the Grecians’ fortunes with two goals from his first five League One appearances.
Signed on loan on Friday ✅
Scored on Saturday ✅
The perfect start to life on loan for Timur Tutierov 👏#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/xqHU0iEC4M
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) January 19, 2026
Stags Performance Prompts Caldwell Comments
The 20-year-old winger was handed his first senior start in England on Saturday as City faced Mansfield Town, and despite not being able to replicate previous performances with a goal, he still impressed with half of Exeter’s shots coming from Tutierov.
Nevertheless, it caused Gary Caldwell to laud the Black Cats youngster for his efforts since moving to the League One side. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, he said:
ADVERTISEMENT
“He’s a young player with a huge future. He’s scored two goals already and had our most dangerous actions.
“It’s his first start in league football, so we have to support him and keep working with him, but I think you see the talent and the threat that he poses whenever he’s on the pitch.
“He gives us something and he can be happy with his performance, but that final outcome he has to keep working on and make it better.
“If he does, I keep telling him I think he’s got the potential to be a top, top player.”
Tutierov joined Sunderland from Ukrainian Premier League side FC Kolos Kovalivka in 2022 and became a regular player in their youth squad across their last three Premier League 2 campaigns.
🔄 90′ Tutierov enters the field…
🤩 90+4′ Tutierov adds the fourth…
Love it, Timur 👏#SAFC pic.twitter.com/ONLhG64wLL
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) May 7, 2024
Is Tutierov Key For Exeter’s Success?
Despite the worry that Exeter City could be dragged into a relegation battle with their form so far this season, Gary Caldwell’s team have found a new gear in their efforts to remain clear of the bottom four.
ADVERTISEMENT
And while Jayden Wareham will rightly earn plaudits for his performances this season with 10 goals to his name, the work of Timur Tutierov can not be understated as an impact substitute across their last five matches.
His efforts against Stevenage and Port Vale may not have been the decisive goals, but the Ukrainian ensured that both results were beyond doubt and finding a new goalscorer when many sides are overreliant on one or two people cannot hurt.
While it was a tough day at the office for the Grecians’ attacking ranks against Mansfield, they have a golden opportunity to rekindle their recent form against strugglers Northampton Town.
ADVERTISEMENT
What Does His Sunderland Future Look Like?
With Regis Le Bris conducting late transfer business to send Simon Adingra to Monaco and then bring in Nilson Anguilo from Anderlecht, Tutierov now has another player to compete with for a future place in the Sunderland squad.
The Ukrainian has already been acknowledged at the Stadium of Light, having been a regular in their first team training sessions, and will surely be able to progress in their plans further with a good spell at Exeter City.
Should he be able to develop in the EFL for the next few seasons, there could be a very clear path to make his way into a Sunderland squad who are well-placed to become a Premier League regular for years to come.
ADVERTISEMENT