St. PETERSBURG, June 16, Taras Barabash. St. Petersburg Zenit player Zelimkhan Bakaev said that he was honest with himself and Moscow Spartak. On Wednesday it became known that Bakaev had signed a contract with Zenit. On June 1, due to the expiration of the contract, the player left Spartak Moscow. Earlier, information appeared in the media that the companion of the owner of Spartak, Zarema Salikhova, did not see Bakaev’s prospects in the Moscow club.
"Accusations of Zarema Salikhova? Honestly, this is already, you know, the past story. I already said everything. I tell you honestly, and I am responsible for my words, what I said is the pure truth. As for the rest, I don't want to stir up the past. Let them say what they want there, but I am honest with myself and with where I played", Bakaev told reporters.
Bakaev is 25 years old, he is a pupil 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.