Former Lokomotiv and Russia national team striker Artem Dzyuba declined to address questions about his future and any potential move to Shanghai Shenhua, the Chinese club coached by Leonid Slutsky. The update came from Sports Express. The outlet’s reporter attempted to obtain clear statements from Dzyuba during the charity hockey event called Match of the Year, a clash between teams from the Kontinental Hockey League and the National Hockey League.
Dzyuba parted ways with Lokomotiv Moscow at the end of the previous season. Across all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign, the 35-year-old forward appeared in 26 games, recording four goals and four assists. Lokomotiv finished fourth in the Russian Premier League that season with 53 points. The veteran striker joined Lokomotiv in February 2023, following a stint with Adana Demirspor in Turkey, where a contract had been terminated before his arrival in Moscow. A product of Spartak Moscow’s academy, Dzyuba spent intermittent periods with Spartak up to 2015 before moving on to other clubs.
Dzyuba represented the Russian national team from 2011 through 2021. His international duties ended when Valery Karpin took the helm as head coach, bringing a new squad dynamic and reshaping call-ups. The player has remained a notable figure in Russian football, frequently discussed in media circles for insights into his form, fitness, and prospects for further club offers. While rumors have occasionally linked him with various clubs, including those abroad, Dzyuba has continued to navigate a challenging market where forward options are plentiful and contract situations can rapidly shift.
Beyond his club career, Dzyuba’s standing in Russian football has been shaped by his long association with the national team, his resilience in facing competition from younger forwards, and his ability to deliver when called upon. As the football world watches, questions about possible transfers surface in periods of off-season transition and around major events when clubs are actively evaluating their attacking options. Observers note that the forward’s experience and physical presence remain valuable traits that clubs often seek in the modern game. The dialogue around Dzyuba’s next step reflects a broader trend in European and Asian leagues, where veteran strikers sometimes explore new leagues or return to familiar environments as they evaluate next chapters in their careers. The situation continues to unfold as rumors, official statements, and player negotiations intermingle with ongoing league schedules and the ever-shifting landscape of international football. Source: Sports Express.