Igor Smolnikov moves to Zenit

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.