Rudik ready to impress after BATE move

Belarussian international midfielder Filipp Rudik has left FC Naftan Novopolotsk to join the champions FC BATE Borisov on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old broke into the Naftan first team in the 2005 campaign and went on to score 22 goals in 100 league appearances, including four in 16 as his club finished 28 points and six places below BATE in 2010. He helped the club win the Belarus Cup for the first time in their history in May 2009, providing the cross for the extra-time winner against FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk.

"There was real interest from BATE and I had strong desire to join this club – it's definitely a step forward in my career," said Rudik, who was born in St Petersburg, Russia, but took up Belarussian citizenship.

"There is everything I need here to reach a new level and I hope to improve my game. I'd like to become a regular starter and to play as much as I can; I'm capable of doing this." BATE will take on Paris Saint-Germain FC in the UEFA Europa League round of 32.