Chugainov switches to Uralan

International defender Igor Chugainov is the latest big name to move to newly promoted Uralan Elista in the Russian Premier League.

Another blow
The FC Lokomotiv Moscow captain agreed the switch after his contract at the capital club expired and talks over a new deal fell through. Chugainov’s departure is another blow for Lokomotiv after goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin moved to Hellas-Verona FC at the end of last year. Both players were voted the best in their position in Russia last season.

Better contract
"It is true that my move was quick and unforeseen," Chugainov said, adding that Uralan had offered him a better contract than Lokomotiv. "The time has come to change the environment," he added. "The moment of parting with Lokomotiv would come anyway."

Eight players signed
Chugainov’s move also follows hard on the heels of Russian top scorer Dmitri Vyazmikin’s switch to Uralan. The striker left FC Torpedo Moscow at the start of the week to join the top-flight newcomers. The club have now signed eight players to strengthen their squad before the 2002 season starts in the spring, and have said more new faces could be on the way.

'A magnificent player'
Uralan coach Sergei Pavlov was delighted with the signing. "Chugainov is a magnificent player, and a starter at the national team”, he said. The player’s former coach was less happy. "He left the team without notifying me. His decision surprised me," said Lokomotiv coach Juri Semin.