Leon, how did you celebrate your recent birthday? And how has this training camp been?
Thank you very much! I celebrated here at the training camp. It was fairly usual, with the team and the birthday tunnel, just as usual.
Can you tell us about the transfer?
Yes, I’ve had an offer from Rubin, I’ve had a lot of playing practice here and I’ve decided that this was a very good career opportunity for me.
Did you have any other options? And why Rubin?
This club has been interested in me for a long time. There were no other offers and Rubin are a good, young and ambitious team. I think it’s worked out well.
How do you feel about leaving St. Petersburg?
I'm a little upset of course. I was doing my best to get into the first time and this had been going on for some time. I’ve trained as much as possible to be here and I would like to thank the fans for their support and encouragement.
I would also like to thank the management of Zenit, the entire coaching staff and everyone who helped me here. I would also like to thank the coaching staff of Zenit-2 and Zenit U19s. And many thanks to the Gazprom Academy for giving me the opportunity to play here.
Have you already spoken with Leonid Slutsky? What did he say?
We talked a little bit and he congratulated me on my birthday, so nothing unusual. I think at their training camp we will talk more.
When you came out of the tunnel, you said "I’ll remember you all." Did you know then that you were going to Rubin then? Or did you mean you’ll get them back?
Yes, I already knew then and ... it was sort of a joke.
