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Sardar Azmoun, Zenit’s new signing from Rubin mad an instant impact against Fenerbahce in the Europa League | RIA Novosti

The long winter transfer window in Russia has finally shut and with a couple of weeks until the season resumes, we look back at what every club did this winter.

Akhmat Grozny

In: Damian Szymanski (Wisla Plock)

Out: Idrissa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Zaur Sadaev (Ankaragucu), Ayub Batsuev (Chaika, loan), Idris Umaev (Palanga, loan), Chingiz Magomadov (Ural)



In a first-team sense, not much happening here. When Sporting made their move for young midfielder Doumbia, for a rumoured €4m, Akhmat had to make a move to replace him. They plumped for Polish international Szymanski, costing them around €1.5m. On EU deadline day, out of favour striker Sadaev left the club for Turkey, while the club sent a couple of fringe youngsters out on loan. Youth player Magomadov also moved to Ural .

Bem-vindo, Idrissa Doumbia!

✍🏽 Leão até 2024

Lê o comunicado na íntegra em https://t.co/R2klDiyB5u pic.twitter.com/jO8bhVzES6 — Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) January 15, 2019

Anzhi Makhachkala

In: None

Out: Guram Tetrashvili (Released), Ihor Chaykovskyi (Zorya Luhansk), Jhon Chancellor (Al- Ahli), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor Tashkent), Danil Glebov (Rostov), Vladimir Sugrubov (Baltika), Konstantin Savichev (Enisey), Amir Mokhammad (Legion-Dinamo), Mohammed Rabiu (Krylia)



Anzhi’s financial woes meant they were unable to bring anyone in, while they sold or released anyone they could persuade to go for free. Big losses include full back Savichev moving to relegation rivals Yenisey, and young midfielder Glebov moving to Rostov. They should have recovered some money from the moves of Chancellor and Khamdamov, at least. The squad will now be filled with young players and loan returnees.

Arsenal Tula

In: Maksim Volodko (BATE Borisov), Bakary Kone (Ankaragucu)

Out: Artem Sokol (Tromso, loan)



Arsenal held on to winger Zemlikhan Bakaev this winter, despite parent club Spartak offering decent sums of money to recall him early after not putting a clause in his contract. They also addressed the weakest area of the team by signing experienced international duo Voldoko and Kone. Young defender Sokol, who sat on the bench for every game this season, will now go to Norway for some valuable first team experience.

CSKA Moscow

In: Igor Diveev (Ufa, loan)

Out: Aleksandr Makarov (Avangard, loan), Astemir Gordyushenko (Tyumen, loan), Khetag Khosonov (Tambov, loan), Timur Zhamaletdinov (Lech Poznan, loan), Maksim Edapin (Enisey, loan)



CSKA were very active in the loan market. After searching much of the window for a centre-half, but failing to find someone appropriate, they secured a loan for 19-year-old Diveev on deadline day. Should the youngster impress, CSKA have the option to buy outright in the summer. The main departures from the first team included Zhamaletdinov and Khosonov, both of whom scored this season, but did not get regular playing time in Moscow.

🆕 Timur Żamaletdinow od czwartkowego popołudnia przechodzi testy medyczne w Lechu Poznań! 🔵⚪ Jeśli zakończą się one pozytywnie, 21-letni napastnik zostanie wypożyczony na pół roku do Kolejorza z opcją wykupu.

Więcej: https://t.co/ML2nWYnZ54 pic.twitter.com/4Nvwe5jNCw — Lech Poznań (@LechPoznan) January 24, 2019

Dinamo Moscow

In: Artur Yusupov (Rostov)

Out:



Although a quiet window for Dinamo, rumours persisted of a striker from abroad, or perhaps even a couple of defenders from Rubin but , in the end, midfielder Artur Yusupov remained the only arrival. Having played for Dinamo for six years earlier in his career, he will welcome the return home following a spell at Rostov ruined by injuries. He impressed during the winter training camps, scoring a couple of goals already.

Enisey Krasnoyarsk

In: Aleksandr Sobolev (Krylia, loan), Konstantin Savichev (Anzhi), Arsen Khubulov (Erzurumspor), Oleg Danchenko (Shakhtar, loan), Maksim Edapin (CSKA, loan), Babacar Sarr (Molde)

Out: Shamil Gasanov (Baltika, loan), Darko Bodul (Shakhtor Soligorsk), Azim Fatullaev (Rotor, loan), Rade Dugalic (Kairat Almaty), Mikhail Filippov (Rotor, loan), Enis Gavazaj (Released), Marko Obradovic (Torpedo Belaz), Dmitri Tikhiy (Khimki)



En isey brought in some impressive players this winter. Savichev from Anzhi is a more than capable right back, Khubulov has plenty of RPL relegation battle experience, Danchenko had a terrific season for Anzhi last year, and, rape case aside, Sarr from Molde is meant to be a great player. In exchange, they ditched a number of deadwood players and must be optimistic of putting on a genuine survival challenge this spring.

FC Krasnodar

In: Kristoffer Olsson (AIK), Dmitri Skopintsev (Rostov)

Out: Christian Cueva (Santos, loan), Anatoli Katrich (Ural), Aleksei Tataev (Mlada Boleslav, loan), Roman Shishkin (Krylia, loan), Stefan Strandberg (Ural, loan), Tornike Okriashvili (Released), Mihalio Ristic (Montpellier), Nikolay Komlichenko (Mlada Boleslav)



Early in the transfer window, Krasnodar added Kris Olsson in midfield. The Swedish international set them back around €4m, and started twice for his new side in the Europa League. Christian Cueva was loaned out after struggling to adapt to Russian football and falling behind youngster Shapi in the pecking order. Other than shipping out a few fringe players, Krasnodar announced the surprise signing of Skopintsev from Rostov. Costing a rumoured €4.4m, the full-back increases their Russian quota, and has big potential still just 21-years-old.

Krylia Sovetov

In: Jano Ananidze (Spartak, loan), Aleksandr Samedov (Spartak), Roman Shishkin (Krasnodar, loan), Anton Zinkovskiy (Chertanovo), Maksim Karpov (Zenit), Artem Timofeev (Spartak, loan), Mohammed Rabiu (Anzhi)

Out: Nadson (Released), Yohan Mollo (Sochaux), Evgeni Bashkirov (Rubin), Aleksandr Sobolev (Enisey, loan), Alan Chochiev (Released), Srdan Mijailovic (Released), Dmytro Nemchaininov (Desna Chernihiv)



In a busy window down in Samara, raiding Spartak Moscow for veteran Samedov, injury-plagued Jano and fringe player Timofeev got the ball rolling. Shishkin comes in to shore up midfield and defence, while Karpov, who impressed out on loan from Zenit, comes in as another defensive option. The most exciting deal is perhaps Anton Zinkovskiy from Chertanovo, one of the FNL’s best players this season. They also made a late move for Rabiu from Anzhi to add extra depth in midfield. Outgoings saw Mollo’s second spell in Russia cut short after just a few unsuccessful months, while striker Sobolev goes to Enisey in search of more playing time.

Александр Самедов стал игроком "Крыльев Советов"https://t.co/Qw1HxA779j — ПФК Крылья Советов (@fckssamara) January 13, 2019

Lokomotiv Moscow

In: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Rustavi, loan)

Out: Timofey Margasov (Sochi, loan), Alan Kasaev (Sochi, loan), Igor Portnyagin (Baltika, loan)

In another quiet window, railway club’s only acquisition was Georgian teenager Kvaratskhelia, who comes highly rated after featuring in the Guardian’s ‘Next Gen’ series of 2018. On an initial loan, it is yet to be seen how regular he could feature in the first team, though he did score in one friendly match played during the break.

FC Orenburg

In: Saveli Kozlov (Tyumen), Ilya Samoshnikov (Shinnik)

Out: Mikhail Bakaev (Free)

The phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” comes to mind when thinking of Orenburg’s quiet transfer windows both in the summer and winter. Having a great season following promotion and without anyone of note moving on, Orenburg moved to sign two promising young defenders from the FNL. Full back Ilya Samoshnikov arrived from Shinnik followed by centre-half Saveliy Kozlov from Tyumen on deadline day. Both should be good long term investments if they manage to stay in the RPL.

FC Rostov

In: Roman Eremenko (Spartak), Ivelin Popov (Spartak), Danil Glebov (Anzhi), Mathias Normann (Brighton & Hove Albion), Baktiyor Zainutdinov (Astana), Evgeni Chernov (Zenit), Ivan Novoseltsev (Zenit, loan), Miha Mevlja (Zenit, loan)

Out: Artur Yusupov (Dinamo), Ayaz Guliev (Spartak), Sverrir Ingi Ingason (PAOK Salonika), Anton Saletros (AIK, loan), Matija Boben (Livorno, loan), Dmitri Skopintsev (Krasnodar), Zan Majer (Lecce)



With eight arrivals and seven departures, Rostov may have been the busiest club in Russia this winter. The club earned around €10m following high profile departures of Guliev, Ingason and Skopintsev. With four central midfielders leaving the club, Rostov went all out in replacing them. Experienced duo Eremenko and Popov come in from Spartak are both coups, considering their talent. Young trio Glebov, Normann and Zainutdinov show the club are looking to the future, while Mevlja and Novoseltsev replaced the outgoing Ingason.



It’s an exciting time to be a Rostov fan and the push for Europe is on.

Ивелин Попов — игрок «Ростова»



Болгарский полузащитник подписал контракт с нашим клубом сроком на 2.5 года.



Подробнее: https://t.co/R6HK6Ykysl pic.twitter.com/STvH5pHhKp — Football Club Rostov (@rostovfc) January 23, 2019

Rubin Kazan

In: Evgeni Bashkirov (Krylia), Vladislav Panteleev (Spartak), Roman Akbashev (Avangard), Aleksey Gorodovoy (Kongsvinger)

Out: Chico (Released), Sardar Azmoun (Zenit), Aleksey Gorodovoy (Zenit-2, loan), Fedor Kudryashov (Basaksehir), Cesar Navas (Retired), Soslan Dzhanaev (Released), Nikita Goldobin (Released), Timur Akmurzin (Ufa, loan)



Rubin struggled this winter with financial woes worsening by the day. In an effort to save money, big earners Chico, Dzhanaev and Kudryashov were let go, with the latter signing for the Turkish league leaders. In an effort just to get numbers in, Bashkirov was signed following his release from Krylia, while ten-goal midfielder Akbashev joined from FNL side Avangard for a nominal fee. Big moves for the club included talented midfielder Panteleev from Spartak, who also has ten FNL goals this season, while Sardar Azmoun finally left the club for €12 to Zenit in late January. A big loss for Rubin is the retirement of veteran defender Cesar Navas. Unable to afford a replacement, Rubin will turn to youth to step-up.

Spartak Moscow

In: Ayrton Lucas (Fluminense), Ayaz Guliev (Rostov), Maksim Glushenkov (Chertanovo), Nail Umyarov (Chertanovo)

Out: Marko Petkovic (Released), Jano Ananidze (Krylia, loan), Aleksandr Samedov (Krylia), Roman Eremenko (Rostov), Artem Timofeev (Krylia, loan), Ivelin Popov (Rostov), Vladislav Panteleev (Rubin)



Spartak got their business done early in the transfer window. Ayrton, a €6m arrival from Brazil, came in before the new year in an effort to solve their long-running left back problem followed Chertanovo duo Glushenkov and Umyarov. Highly rated, it seems that for now, Umyarov will be with Spartak-2, but Glushenkov with the first team. Guliev returned from Rostov after just six months for a knocked-down price while Spartak cleared out a number of fringe players to Krylia and Rostov.

FC Ufa

In: Yuri Shafinskiy (Tom), Andres Vombergar (Olimija Ljubljana), TImur Akmurzin (Rubin, loan)

Out: Denis Tumasyan (Alashkert Yerevan), Vladimir Zubarev (Released), Giorgi Shelia (Tambov), Igor Diveev (CSKA, loan)



With little activity at Ufa, the club acquired three players late on in the window. Aiming to sign a striker, Ufa got their man in the form of Argentine turned Slovenian Andres Vombergar. Being top scorer in the Slovenian league, there are hopes he can get them going up front. Having let reserve goalkeeper Shelia go to Tambov, Ufa picked up Shafinskiy and Akmurzin as foil to Belenov, while letting young defender Diveev go on loan to CSKA.

Ural Ekaterinburg

In: Stefan Strandberg (Krasnodar, loan), Denis Polyakov (BATE Borisov), Chingiz Magomadov (Akhmat), Anatoli Katrich (Krasnodar)

Out: Aleksey Evseev (Free), Giorgi Chanturia (Released), Dzhamaldin Khodzhaniyaov (Released), Nikita Glushkov (Baltika, loan), Artem Yusupov (Zenit-2, loan)



Having moved early on to bring in defenders Strandberg and Polyakov, Ural had a relatively quiet winter until late in the transfer window when youngster Magomadov and Krasnodar-2 winger Katrich joined. Having also released their few players early on, the Ek aterinburg -based club had plenty of time to get ready for the run in.

Double Swoop! 😎



We can confirm Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun has joined from Rubin Kazan on a three-and-a-half-year deal!#WelcomeSardar pic.twitter.com/piJuX3Pdfz — FC Zenit in English🌊 (@fczenit_en) February 1, 2019

Zenit St Petersburg

In: Wilmar Barrios (Boca Juniors), Sardar Azmoun (Rubin), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Out: Leandro Paredes (PSG), Yuri Lodygin (Olympiacos, loan), Miha Mevlja (Rostov, loan), Evgeni Chernov (Rostov), Ivan Novoseltsev (Rostov, loan), Maksim Karpov (Krylia)



The three biggest deals of the RPL, this winter, involved Zenit. Most notable is the €40m sale of Leandro Paredes to PSG. A big loss in midfield but a lot of money to replenish the squad. And replenish they did. Yaroslav Rakitskiy for €10m is a huge improvement to the shaky central defence, Barrios comes in to shore up midfield , while the returning Noboa should pick up Paredes’ playmaking role. Lastly, the signing of Azmoun from Rubin already proved its worth as the Iranian international debuted at home with two goals in the last 16 of the Europa League.











