Bazhenov switches to Spartak
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Article summary
Russian Under-21 international Nikita Bazhenov has become the latest player to join FC Spartak Moskva.
Article body
Dream start
The 19-year-old had spent the last three seasons in the reserves at Saturn but has been a revelation since making his top-flight debut this term. He scored in his first two games as a substitute and now has a total of five goals in 12 league games.
Several signings
Bazhenov is the latest high-profile signing by Spartak since the appointment earlier this summer of coach Nevio Scala. The Italian has already secured the services of FK Crvena Zvezda captain Nemanja Vidic, Czech Republic defender Martin Jiránek, FC Porto and Russia midfielder Dmitri Alenichev, CA River Plate striker Fernando Cavenaghi, and CA Boca Juniors and Argentina defender Clemente Rodríguez.
'Dreaming about Spartak'
"Like any youngster, I dreamt of playing for Spartak, so I am very happy about this move," Bazhenov said. "Spartak are not enjoying the best of times right now, but I am sure the glory days will return soon." Spartak lie eighth in the Premier League but were eliminated from European competition at the third-round stage of the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
