Akron forward Artem Dzyuba described how the dialogue with the Tolyatti club unfolded and revealed his wish to remain in Moscow for as long as possible. His comments were captured by Match TV as the talks reached a late stage.
The negotiations occurred at the final moment before the transfer window closed. Dzyuba explained that although he preferred to stay in Moscow, the chances of doing so were slim, leading him to choose Akron to continue his professional journey. His objective is clear: to demonstrate that Akron made a correct decision in pursuing him and that he can contribute meaningfully to their campaign. [Source: Match TV]
The transfer was formally announced on September 12, the closing day of Russia’s summer transfer window. Dzyuba left Lokomotiv Moscow after the completion of the 2023/24 season. In that campaign, the 35-year-old striker appeared in 26 matches across all competitions, recording four goals and four assists. Lokomotiv ended the season in fourth place in the Russian Premier League with 53 points. [Source: Club records]
Akron is a newcomers to the Russian Premier League. After seven rounds in the current season, the Tolyatti club sits in 14th place in the relegation playoff zone, accumulating five points from one victory, two draws, and four defeats. [Source: league standings]
There had been prior statements from a club official suggesting that Dzyuba would be elevated within Akron if he could prove his worth on the field. This pathway underscored Akron’s intent to leverage the experienced striker to accelerate their development in the top flight. [Source: Team announcements]