Bystrov heads home to Zenit
Friday, August 28, 2009
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Four years on from his surprise departure, Russian international winger Vladimir Bystrov has sealed a return to FC Zenit St. Petersburg after the Zenitchiki agreed a €9m fee with FC Spartak Moskva.
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Vladimir Bystrov has sealed a return to his first club, FC Zenit St. Petersburg, after the Zenitchiki agreed a €9m fee with FC Spartak Moskva.
'Local boy'
The Russian international winger, 25, has signed a five-year deal with Zenit, where he started his career before a shock move to Spartak in 2005. "This is not a player we have picked up from the scrap heap – he is top class," said Anatoly Davydov, Zenit's interim coach following the departure of Dick Advocaat. "On top of that, he is a local boy and I am sure he's in great shape. He will strengthen our team and inject some pace. I hope he will prove a great signing."
Heady rise
He may need to, given his controversial departure from the Petrovsky Stadium to Moscow four years ago. Born in Luga, 140km from St Petersburg, Bystrov was a product of the famous regional Smena academy. He made his Zenit debut aged 18 in May 2002 and soon became a crowd favourite. Within two years he was taking his international bow and has since collected 24 caps. Bystrov made 99 Premier-Liga appearances for Spartak, including 18 this term to help the side to second place. Zenit are seventh after 19 games.
