Lokomotiv let Loskov leave
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Article summary
FC Lokomotiv Moskva's talismanic captain Dmitri Loskov, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, has joined FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast.
Article body
FC Lokomotiv Moskva's talismanic captain Dmitri Loskov, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, has agreed to join FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast for a reported €1.5m.
Appearance record
The 33-year-old midfielder, who has 24 Russia caps, has played in 17 matches for Lokomotiv in all competitions this year and is the club's all-time record appearance holder as well as their most prolific scorer in the Russian Premier-Liga, with 95 goals from 278 games. He also helped the Railwaymen to the league title in 2002 and 2004 in addition to four Russian Cup victories, most recently in May when a 1-0 extra-time defeat of FC Moskva earned qualification for the 2007/08 UEFA Cup.
Valued servant
However, a dispute with coach Anatoli Byshovets, who took over at the close of the 2006 campaign, spelt the beginning of the end for Loskov and Lokomotiv, whose president Yuri Semin paid tribute to his eleven years of service. "We will honour his wishes and interests," he said. "Loskov is a man who has done a lot for Lokomotiv. He was valuable for us, he is valuable for us, and he will be valuable for us in the future."
