Illia Zabarnyi was born on 1 September 2002 in Kyiv, Ukraine. He came through Dynamo Kyiv's youth academy and made his senior debut in 2020, winning the Ukrainian Premier League title in 2020–21 and earning early international call-ups.
Bournemouth signed him in January 2023 on a five-and-a-half-year deal, and he debuted in April that year. He became a fixture in the Bournemouth back line over two Premier League seasons (78 appearances) and was named the club's 2023–24 Supporters' Player of the Season.
Paris Saint-Germain signed him in August 2025 on a five-year contract, making him the club's first-ever Ukrainian player. He scored on his debut and again in September 2025, accumulating 25+ appearances during 2025–26 with the Trophée des Champions and FIFA Intercontinental Cup added to his trophy cabinet.
Zabarnyi has earned 57 senior Ukraine caps with three goals. He helped Ukraine reach the quarter-finals at UEFA Euro 2020 and was part of the Euro 2024 squad.
A 1.89 m right-footed centre-back, Zabarnyi combines reading of the game, recovery pace, aerial command, and a willingness to defend high — qualities that fit PSG's new defensive structure under Luis Enrique. He is widely regarded as one of the rising defenders of his generation in European football.