The spokesperson for striker Artem Dzyuba, Leonid Goldman, stated that no one from the club extended a farewell to the forward. He told Sports Express that the departure was not accompanied by a formal goodbye and that the news of the split appeared first on social networks, indicating that the decision was communicated informally rather than through a ceremonial exit. Goldman emphasized that while the separation did not come as a surprise, there was a sense that the process could have been conducted with more consideration a hand over in a humane manner.
Goldman noted that Dzyuba’s contract with Lokomotiv Moscow is set to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season. He explained that there was no automatic renewal because the player did not meet the specific conditions related to the number of effective actions stipulated under the contract terms. This detail underscores how contractual clauses can shape the outcome at the end of a season, especially for players whose performance metrics are closely monitored by the club. The timing and the precise criteria of renewal became a decisive factor in the looming decision, narrowing the options available to both the club and the player as they evaluated the next steps in Dzyuba’s professional career.
During the 2023/24 campaign, the 35-year-old forward featured in 26 matches across all competitions. He contributed four goals and four assists, contributing to Lokomotiv Moscow’s overall standing as the team finished fourth in the Russian Premier League with 53 points. The season’s statistics place Dzyuba among players who provided steady, if not overwhelming, offensive output, with his experience and leadership on the pitch cited as valuable assets in a squad that balanced youth with veteran influence. The club’s fourth-place finish reflects a competitive campaign in which every win and draw carried significant weight as the league tightened in the closing months of the season.
Dzyuba’s move to Lokomotiv Moscow occurred in February 2023, marking a new chapter in his long-playing career. Before joining Lokomotiv, the striker had spent several months as a free agent after the termination of his contract with Adana Demirspor in Turkey. The period without a club was followed by the opportunity to sign with the Moscow outfit, a transition that brought him back to a familiar environment where he had previously faced many of the league’s rivals. The decision to join Lokomotiv was viewed in sports circles as a deliberate step to reestablish form and contribute to a club with ambitions to challenge for top honors in the domestic league and in European competition frameworks where Russian clubs seek to compete on multiple stages.
As questions about Dzyuba’s future continued to circulate, observers weighed whether the player would continue his football career beyond the current season. The talk centered on the possibility of retirement from professional play or pursuing opportunities with another club that might better align with his physical condition, personal goals, and the evolving landscape of Russian football. While it remains unclear what path the striker will choose next, the recent developments have underscored the unpredictable nature of professional sport, where contracts, performance metrics, and personal preferences can swiftly reshape a player’s trajectory. In the meantime, fans and analysts alike await further announcements detailing Dzyuba’s plans and the next steps for Lokomotiv Moscow as they prepare for the off-season and assess options for squad strengthening ahead of future campaigns.