MOSCOW, 21 Jun. Zenith midfielder Zelimkhan Bakaev said he did not consider himself a traitor after leaving Spartak Moscow for a club from St. Petersburg. On Wednesday, it became known that 25-year-old Bakaev signed a contract with Zenit. On June 1, due to the expiration of the contract, the player left Spartak Moscow.
"It is significant for me that many veterans supported me: both Spartak and others. I don't consider myself a traitor. Of course, I must be prepared for whistling and other manifestations. But I hope it won't last long. Will I celebrate a goal if I score "Spartak"? I won't", — Bakaev said in an interview with Championat.com.
Bakaev is a graduate of Spartak. Together with the club, he won the Russian Cup last season, and in 2017, the country's Super Cup. In total, he made 105 appearances for the Red-and-Whites, scoring 14 goals and providing 29 assists.