Congratulations on the new contract that will run until 2027! How do you feel right now?
I am very happy to have extend my contract with the club and I’m delighted, as are my family, to be able to continue wearing the Zenit shirt and keep representing the club. I will keep giving my all and fight every season to achieve our goals. I hope that I will spend many more years here, as this is what my family and I want. Let’s continue with our winning ways.
There have been a lot of rumors in the press about your future and other clubs interest, but you’ve decided to stay at Zenit. What’s your reasons for this?
Yes there were a lot of talk about interest from different clubs, but I was very calm about all this, because I knew that everything would be as God wills it. I have a great relationship with Zenit and my priority has always been to stay here. I'm happy it worked out this way, because that's exactly what my family and I wanted. Now I want to get back to training with extra energy, so that at every training session and in every match I give the club everything that I can.
You have been playing in St. Petersburg for more than four years now. Do you see it as home and could you end your career here?
Yes it’s almost been five years and I’ve felt at home here, with the club, the city, the fans from the very first season. The supporters’ positive attitude has always made me happy. This time at Zenit has been an incredible experience for me and my family, we’re very happy here and together with this great club we are writing an amazing history. I hope we will continue like this and add even more winning moments, both for the club and for the fans who cheer for us in every game.
Do you have any words for the Zenit fans, who seemed very pleased with yesterday's news.
Thank you very much for the fans for their amazing support for me personally, and for the whole team. The fans are always there and we feel your energy. From the very first day in St. Petersburg, the fans have surrounded me with love, I am very grateful to the fans for their support every time we go out on the pitch, I’ll return this love to you with my hard work and dedication. Love to everyone! Davai Zenit!
