Popovych was a trainee of the sport academy of Mettalurg from Dniprodzerzhynsk. He was playing for various teams at the early stage of his career including Prometei (1990), Kryvbas (1991–1994), Zirka (1994–1995), Shakhtar (1995–1996). In 1997, he moved to Russia, where he started to play for Zenit from Saint Petersburg, where he performed more than 100 caps and scored 41 goal. Together with "Zenit" he reached a peak of his career. In 2000, he scored two goals in the final of Intertoto Cup against Celta. Popovych himself later recalled these times as the happiest period in his life and also during professional career. In 2001 Popovych won the bronze medal of Russian championship with Zenit also being the first sniper of the team in the season of 2001. In autumn of 2001 Popovich felt sick while season was not yet finished. Later on, he noted that his conditions get worsened at every new training. In the end of 2001 according to strong recommendation from medics, he finished his football career due to the problems with heart (two consecutive infarcts of pulmonary and heart systems respectively).