Denis Glushakov Reflects on a Potential Winter Training Camp with an RPL Squad
Denis Glushakov, the former midfielder known for his time with Spartak Moscow and the Russia national team, has not ruled out the possibility of joining a winter training camp with a Russian Premier League (RPL) club. In comments gathered by TASS, Glushakov emphasized that his love for the game remains strong and that a return to competitive football could be on the horizon when the season pauses for winter preparations.
“Of course I still want to play. Maybe I will go to the training camp with an RPL team in the winter, we will see,” Glushakov stated. His words reflect a readiness to assess opportunities that could rekindle his playing career while he weighs fitness, form, and the right fit at the top level.
Glushakov’s career in the Russian top flight has spanned several clubs. He spent six notable years at Spartak Moscow from 2013 to 2019, a period highlighted by a Russian Premier League title in the 2016/17 campaign. His contributions helped solidify Spartak’s standing in Russian football during a competitive era for the league. After leaving Spartak, Glushakov joined Akhmat Grozny, where he continued to ply his trade in the domestic league before transferring to Khimki near Moscow in July 2020. At Khimki, he remained part of the squad for a season and a half, providing leadership and experience to a team navigating the challenges of the league.
The football journey continued to evolve in September 2023 when Spartak Kostroma, a club competing in the Russian Second League, announced the transfer of Glushakov. The move marked another chapter in the veteran midfielder’s extensive career and sparked conversation about his role and impact at Kostroma. Glushakov himself appeared positive about the transition, expressing a sense of appreciation for this new environment and the potential to contribute on the field.
“I said maybe I could return to Spartak, but in the end I did, but didn’t I return to Moscow? Returned to Spartak! I like the diamond pattern of Kostroma Spartak better than the one in Moscow,” Glushakov remarked. The remark hints at his personal affinity for Kostroma Spartak’s club identity and its aesthetic or organizational strengths, which he found appealing as he prepared to integrate with the squad.
Beyond his club career, Glushakov has remained a public figure in the broader landscape of Russian football. He has engaged with media aspects of the sport, including appearances that blend football with entertainment and broader media projects. This dual presence underscores the evolving path many players follow as they balance competitive play with media and diversification opportunities off the pitch. His experience across multiple clubs and leagues in Russia provides a unique perspective on the domestic football system, player development pathways, and the shifting dynamics of club football in the country.
As the winter period approaches, observers will be watching to see whether Glushakov secures a spot in a training camp with an RPL side. If such an opportunity arises, it could allow him to demonstrate his current level of fitness and football IQ, while offering clubs a tested, veteran presence in midfield alongside younger players working to establish themselves in the league. Fans and analysts alike will likely consider how his leadership and on-field versatility might fit into various tactical setups that teams pursue in the mid-season training phase. The broader context includes ongoing conversations about veteran players contributing to squad depth, mentoring younger teammates, and adding competitive edge during a demanding schedule that includes league play, cups, and continental competitions.
Citations: TASS reporting on Glushakov’s winter training camp considerations, Kostroma Spartak’s transfer announcement, and Glushakov’s public remarks about his career choices are referenced to provide factual grounding for the details presented. These sources underscore the ongoing developments in Glushakov’s professional journey and the contemporary dynamics of Russian football as clubs navigate player movements and strategic plans for the coming season.