Zenit has signed Russian right defender Igor Smolnikov from FC Krasnodar, the club's official site says. Smolnikov will arrive in St. Petersburg in the coming days and undergo a medical exam before signing a personal contract with Zenit.

Igor Smolnikov was born on August 8, 1988, in Kamensk-Uralsky. He started his professional career with FC Torpedo in 2006, then went to Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008. Smolnikov also played on loan for FC Ural, FC Chita, FC Zhemchuzhina-Sochi, and FC Rostov before joining FC Krasnodar in 2012. The 25-year-old has also been capped by Russia`s national youth team. Igor is capable of playing either on the right side of the defense and midfield, or as a defensive midfielder.

Igor has played 124 matches altogether over the last 5 years in Russia, scoring 4 goals and making 3 assists.