Igor Diveev, a defender for CSKA, spoke about his unlikely path to becoming part of the army club during a session on his YouTube channel, Commentary Show. He described how the move unfolded in February 2019 and what it felt like stepping into a club with a long, storied tradition.
The moment came after a routine training session that preceded a friendly match. A team official approached Diveev with the surprising news: he would be heading to CSKA on loan for three months. Diveev accepted the challenge, even though the mechanics of the arrangement were unclear at first. After the players had finished training, CSKA’s coach invited him to an early meeting to introduce himself and set the tone for what lay ahead. Diveev recalls that instant jolt of realization when he arrived at the club, collected his belongings, and walked through the gates of CSKA, feeling both awe and a touch of disbelief.
The transfer marked the start of Diveev’s association with CSKA, initially as a loan from Ufa. His performances during that period convinced the club to offer him a full contract, cementing his place in the squad and signaling a new chapter in his career with the army team.
During his time with CSKA, Diveev faced health setbacks that tested his resilience. An injury in the 20th week of the Russian Premier League interrupted his momentum in a match against Zenit, forcing him to leave the field after only 33 minutes of play in the first half. The break came as a setback, but it was not the end of his story with the club.
Further challenges arose in September 2022 when Diveev was diagnosed with a shin fracture. The injury sidelined him for several months, preventing him from appearing in that autumn portion of the championship. Nevertheless, he remained focused on rehabilitation and returned to the pitch as soon as he could, continuing his contribution to the team upon the season’s resumption.
Roman Babaev, who previously served as the director general of CSKA Moscow, commented on the potential for extending Diveev’s contract. The discussion highlighted the club’s interest in keeping the defender as a key piece of their defensive lineup, underscoring the belief that Diveev could continue to contribute at a high level for CSKA.