Having fled war torn Ukraine with his family and found refuge in Spain, he returned to Kiev for a short while before Sunderland came knocking and offered him the chance to develop his football career in England.
Stuart James Print Sports Editor
05:25, 19 Feb 2026
Goal celebrations for Timur Tutierov of Exeter City on his debut during the Sky Bet League Match between Exeter City and Stevenage at St James Park, Devon on 17th Jan 2026. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
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Goal celebrations for Timur Tutierov of Exeter City on his debut during the Sky Bet League Match between Exeter City and Stevenage at St James Park, Devon on 17th Jan 2026. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK(Image: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
IT is not often supporters go home from a goalless draw talking about something, or someone, that will live long in the memory, but that was the case for Exeter City fans that attended last Saturday’s League One stalemate with Northampton Town.
The Grecians played well and were unfortunate not to beat the Cobblers, missing that final action to score and win the game, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. And key to their moments of brilliance, up to that final finish, was on-loan Ukrainian Timur Tutierov, who thrilled St James Park with a brilliant performance filled with pace, flair, trickery and technical quality.
At just 20, Tutierov is destined for a bright future in the game. City fans must make the most of watching him while they can because, from what we have seen so far – and let’s not forget he has only started two games in men’s football, plus another five off the bench – the highly likeable and charming youngster is far too good for English football’s third tier.
“I think he’s a Premier League player,” former manager Gary Caldwell said, prior to his departure to Wigan Athletic. “I think you can see from the way he moves, not just his speed, but the freedom in his movement and the inquisitive personality and the thirst for development and knowledge and understanding of the game. He has the potential to, no doubt, play in the Premier League.”
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Gary Caldwell, Manager of Exeter City congratulates Timur Tutierov of Exeter City on his first goal on his debut during the Sky Bet League Match between Exeter City and Stevenage at St James Park, Devon on 17th Jan 2026. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK(Image: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
City took the opportunity to cast their eye over Tutierov before Christmas and the loan move was confirmed a month later when loanee Sil Swinkels returned to Aston Villa, which freed up both a loan space and the finances for the Grecians to fund a short-term deal.
“Having the opportunity to get him here before we signed him on loan and get to know his character and him get to know us was beneficial,” Caldwell added. “We took him out for dinner, me and Perks, and really found out about him as a person.
“As soon as we did that, we knew - not just the player and the talent that we can get, but the character and the personality – it was a no-brainer and he’s been tremendous since he came in, both on the pitch and a brilliant character and energy off the pitch.
“I thought last week (at Mansfield) whilst his end product and the outcome wasn’t quite what we wanted, we forget that was his full league debut. But the impact he had in terms of the moments that he got in the game shows the potential he has and I’ve been delighted with him. He obviously needs to get these moments and turn them more into better positive outcomes.”
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Timur Tutierov of Exeter City during the Sky Bet League 1 Match between Exeter City and Wycombe Wanderers at St James Park, Devon on 17 February 2026. Photo: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK(Image: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK)
Tutierov is just relishing the opportunity, though. Having fled war torn Ukraine with his family and found refuge in Spain, he returned to Kiev for a short while before Sunderland came knocking and offered him the chance to develop his football career in England.
“I started to play when I was two with my Dad, in Crimea,” Tutierov said, reflecting on his past. “I was born in Crimea, but when the war started, we moved to Spain. I lived there for four years. Then we went back again to Ukraine, in Kiev this time, where I signed my first professional contract with Kolos, my previous team. I did quite well, Sunderland saw me, got me, and that’s probably my football journey!
“I had dreams since childhood. I wanted to play in England and when these things happen at 17, it’s kind of ‘wow.’ A big wow.
“In the beginning, it was very hard, cultural differences, even though I’m very young. But still, some things I won’t be able to understand, like the language and accent! So it took some time, and now, as I said, I feel that Sunderland is my home. I’m happy to have a home because obviously, Ukraine unfortunately right now is at war and it’s really nice to have home somewhere else.
“The war is terrible and when people die, it’s terrible and I’m very happy to have this opportunity to develop myself. Obviously, my family are back home and I am very worried about them, but it’s good to have an opportunity to be here.”
For now until May, though, home is Exeter and not Sunderland for Tutierov and he has been made to feel very much at home in Devon, which is why the transition has been almost seamless for him.
Timur Tutierov of Exeter City clears the ball during the EFL League One match between Mansfield Town and Exeter City at One Call Stadium, Mansfield on 7 February 2026 (Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
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Timur Tutierov of Exeter City clears the ball during the EFL League One match between Mansfield Town and Exeter City at One Call Stadium, Mansfield on 7 February 2026 (Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)(Image: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
”Everyone sticks together,” he said. “Sometimes, in teams, you have different kind of groups where some people stick with each other and don’t integrate with others, but since the first day, I didn’t see that picture here, which made me feel exited.
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“It’s kind of a family and it’s really good for the football club. We have the same goals, same principles, same ideas, and it’s really, really nice.
“It has definitely given me confidence. A loan is very hard for me, because I’m obviously a foreigner. Sunderland in the beginning was for me not my home, I would say it was like that, but at the time it’s become my home, I need to move on to the next stage in my life at Exeter.
“I kind of had my doubts because you obviously settle in this comfort zone, but then I came down, spoke to the Gaffer, spoke with Perks, seen the lads and I felt confident to make this step. I’m very happy I’m here.”