Arshavin returns to Russia with Zenit
Reuters - Friday 24 February 2012, 21:34
Zenit St Petersburg have signed former
striker Andrei Arshavin from Arsenal on loan until the end of
the season, the Russian champions said on Friday.
"Zenit and Arsenal have reached an agreement for Andrei
Arshavin to play in St Petersburg until June 2012," Zenit said
on their website.
The Russia captain said he was delighted.
"Friday was a very difficult day, nothing was decided until
the very last minute," the 30-year-old told the Sport-Express.
"But I hope from now on everything is going to be fine. I
want to play and will do all I can to help Zenit win the Russian
title."
Arshavin is ineligible to play for Zenit in the Champions
League having played for Arsenal in the same competition earlier
in the season.
Earlier, the player announced the news on his official
website.
"I have transferred to Zenit. On loan. The details tomorrow
when you wake up," he said.
The transfer window closed in Russia on Friday.
Arsenal paid Zenit some 15 million pounds
for Arshavin in January 2009.
After excelling for the first couple of years in London,
Arshavin has struggled to break into the Premier League side's
first team this season. His last game was on Tuesday when he
played for Arsenal's reserve team, scoring twice in a 5-0 win
over Norwich City.
Arshavin was hoping the move to his native city would help
him regain his form of old ahead of the Euro 2012 finals.
In 2008, his last in Zenit's colours, he led them to the
UEFA Cup title before helping Russia reach the Euro semi-finals
later that year.