Valery Masalitin explains Denis Glushakov’s move to Urartu as a strategic strengthening decision
In a recent interview with socialbites.ca, former Moscow Spartak player Valery Masalitin connected the transfer of midfielder Denis Glushakov to Armenian club Urartu with a clear aim to reinforce the squad. The veteran player, now 37, is seen as someone who can positively influence the club’s younger talents and help accelerate their development on the pitch.
Masalitin noted that Glushakov’s personal wishes align with Urartu’s planning. Urartu’s leadership reportedly believed the midfielder could be a valuable contributor this season and could mentor the emerging players, which led to an invitation to join the team. The move is portrayed as a mutual fit between player desire and club strategy, rather than a one-sided recruitment.
Glushakov’s most recent club before joining Urartu was Spartak Kostroma, a team competing in the Russian Second League. The contract with Kostroma was terminated by mutual consent in January 2024. Glushakov is best known for his time with Spartak Moscow from 2013 to 2019, a period highlighted by winning the Russian Premier League in the 2016/17 campaign.
Following his tenure at Spartak, Glushakov signed with Akhmat Grozny and later moved to Khimki, near Moscow, in July 2020. He spent about a season and a half with Khimki. Across his international career, Glushakov earned 57 caps for the Russian national team, contributing as a reliable presence in midfield through various cycles of national team duty.
At the domestic level in Armenia, Urartu sits in fourth place in the championship standings with 35 points, while Pyunik leads the table with 48 points. This positioning underscores Urartu’s ongoing pursuit of stability and improvement within the league and the potential for Glushakov to play a pivotal role in both the present campaign and future campaigns. The move is viewed within the broader context of Urartu’s developmental plans and its aspiration to climb higher in the standings, leveraging the experience of a player who has competed at the highest domestic level and in international play.
Reports also indicate that Glushakov’s move followed discussions about his suitability for the squad’s tactical needs and the club’s long-term project. This alignment between the player’s experience and Urartu’s ambitions appears to have been a decisive factor in finalizing the transfer, with coaching staff and management looking to integrate his leadership qualities and professional discipline into the squad culture.
In summary, Masalitin’s reflections emphasize a transfer driven by strategic intent rather than a short-term fix. Urartu aims to stabilize its core and accelerate the development of younger players by incorporating a veteran presence who has previously achieved success at the top levels of Russian football and who has international experience to share with teammates. The situation remains dynamic as the Armenian championship progresses and Urartu seeks to translate this strategic asset into on-field results and league positioning. The information is attributed to sources close to the club’s discussions and Masalitin’s public comments documented by socialbites.ca.