Meet Artem Stepanov, the record-breaking ‘Ukrainian Haaland’ | OneFootball

European football rarely has to wait long for its next breakout talent. Artem Stepanov is making a compelling case to be one of 2026/27's.

The 19-year-old has had a record-breaking start to the season on loan at FC Utrecht, where he's become the youngest player to score in five consecutiveEredivisie games since an 18-year-old Rafael van der Vaart scored in seven straight for Ajax in 2001.

Stepanov's streak comes in his first full season of top-tier football, having initially arrived on loan fromBayer Leverkusen in January.

The teenager scored four times in 14 games during that initial loan, a haul he has surpassed just six games into the new campaign.

At 6ft 4in and with a distinctive blonde ponytail, Stepanov has already earned the nickname the 'Ukrainian Haaland'.

Though few will be getting carried away by his Eredivisie exploits given the division's famously hit-and-miss goalscoring exports, it's easy to understand the comparison

Why Artem Stepanov is earning Haaland comparisons

Among forwards, Stepanov has the best goal conversion rate in the Eredivisie so far this season, ranks second for accelerations and defensive duels won, and third for possession won. He's getting goals, but he's also offering more as an outlet.

He's fifth overall across Europe's top seven leagues for goal conversion, and when ranked against those in his own age bracket, his numbers are even more impressive.

No u-20 striker across those seven leagues can better Stepanov for goals, non-penalty goals, goals per 100 touches, goal conversion percentage, non-penalty goals and assists, expected assists, touches, progressive actions, possession won, or defensive duels won.

The sample size is small, but it's an extensive list.

Data released by analystSpencer Mossman also paints a picture of Stepanov's potential. Across the top nine leagues in European football, the Ukrainian is one of only five forwards across the last eight seasons to record 0.50+ possession adjusted non-penalty xG per 90 minutes and win more than a third of their aerial duels.

The others on that list are Victor Osimhen, Samu Aghehowa, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland. It's esteemed company to keep, while Stepanov's 44.07% aerial duel success rate is a leading metric among those names at similar ages.

Utrecht inserted a purchase option in the loan of just €2m (£1.7m), a fee that looks certain to be activated. Leverkusen will have some regret at that clause, though theBundesliga side also have a buy-back option included in the deal. If Stepanov maintains this form, both sides stand to profit on a player who has made big strides this season.

There has already been tentative speculation around Chelsea, and further interest will be expected if Stepanov maintains his form.

The teenager signed for Leverkusen from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. After trials at both Bayern Munich and Leverkusen, he chose the latter and scored prolifically at youth level before heading out on senior loans.

His time at Utrecht is shaping up to be a coming-of-age season for Stepanov, who has his sights set on the Ukraine national team ahead of the autumn internationals. A debut for The Blue and Yellow would see his profile rise further.