Monday, 24th June, 2013
Andrei Arshavin’s expected transfer to former club Zenit St. Petersburg has been met with delight by the club’s owners, with one of Russia’s "greatest footballers" joining on a two-year deal.
Arshavin’s contract at Premier League side Arsenal came to an end without renewal this summer, and the 32-year-old returns to his former haunting ground in Russia with the bonus of an additional season on top of two given.
Arshavin spent nearly nine years with Zenit’s senior squad – having graduated from the youth ranks – before moving to Arsenal in 2009.
He had a loan spell back at Zenit – whilst still employed by the Gunners – and despite no official word from Zenit thus far, he is understood to be all but signed by the club.
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Alexei Miller, the CEO of Gazprom, which is the company that owns Zenit, was quoted by Voetbal Primeur as saying: "We must remember that Arshavin is a product of the youth department of Zenit.
"Moreover, he is one of the greatest Russian footballers. Such a player is supposed to join the club where he started his career."
Arshavin had been hugely successful with Zenit in his early spell, having won a league title, a UEFA Cup and a UEFA Super Cup.
His loan period saw another Russian Premier League crown added, and he looks set to regularly be in Zenit colours once again.
Arshavin was an initial fan favourite at Arsenal, eventually clocking 144 games for the London giants, scoring 31 goals and making 46 assists.
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