Congratulations on your new agreement with Zenit, how do you feel?
I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. very long-awaited moment St. Petersburg has truly become my hometown, just like Zenit has, so there were no thought in my mind of playing for another Russian club. The choice was obvious.
You’ve been recovering from injury for the last month, how are things now?
It’s been a difficult period for me, the first time I’ve had such a long-term injury, but now everything is fine, I’m training and I was hoping I would be ready for the trip to Sochi, but together with the coaching staff and doctors we decided that it was better I stay behind and not risk it. From Wednesday I’ll be starting full training and plan to travel with the team to Kazakhstan for the match with Kairat.
You’ve won three league titles and four Super Cups at Zenit by age 25, but how would you like to see your St. Petersburg future?
At a minimum to win the same amount again! I would like to return to European football with the team and win the league every year. We haven’t won the cup yet since I’ve been at Zenit, so it’s time to deal with that and I hope we can do that this year.
Do you have a message for the Zenit fans?
Thank you very much for your support and for worrying about me, and for filling out the stadium. Especially compared to our RPL clubs, in St. Petersburg we have the largest attendance and the best atmosphere, I know it! The city lives and breathes football, and I hope you'll continue supporting us and we'll repay you with wins!
