Reports from Russian sports outlets indicate that Zenit Saint Petersburg has proposed a substantial five-year contract for Danil Krugovoy, with an annual salary of €1.2 million. The scale of the offer signals the club’s confidence in Krugovoy’s long-term value and his role in shaping the squad’s defensive setup for both domestic campaigns and European competition.
Krugovoy’s current deal with Zenit runs through the summer of 2024. As the 2023/24 season nears its end, conversations about his future have largely revolved around a possible move, with persistent speculation about a transfer to CSKA Moscow once his Zenit contract concludes. Such a shift would notably alter the balance of power in the Russian Premier League, given CSKA Moscow’s historical status as Zenit’s chief rival in the league.
On January 17, CSKA announced the signing of a four-year contract with Krugovoy. The defender will stay with Zenit through the second half of the 2023/24 season and will officially transfer to CSKA when the agreement takes effect. In the interim, Krugovoy has been assigned to Zenit-2 while preparing for the transition and maintaining match fitness within the club’s broader system.
Krugovoy has been part of Zenit since 2019, progressing through the club’s development pathways and contributing to the first team across competitions. A product of the club’s youth system, he briefly left Zenit in 2018 before returning to bolster the squad’s defensive options. In the current Russian Premier League campaign, he has appeared in 12 league matches and provided one assist, contributing to Zenit’s chase of the national title as they sit prominently in the standings. His presence supports Zenit’s defensive philosophy, which emphasizes versatility, disciplined positioning, and the ability to contribute to build-up play from the back.
Former Zenit teammates and pundits have weighed in on the club’s mindset amid Krugovoy’s potential departure. Some describe a sense of urgency within the squad and the wider organization, highlighting the need to maintain defensive continuity and minimize disruption during a period of transition. Others point to the financial and strategic incentives at play as Zenit seeks to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term transfer planning. Throughout the ongoing discussions, the focus remains on stabilizing the back line while weighing long-term strategic options.
In summary, Krugovoy’s situation sits at the intersection of a significant contractual offer from Zenit, an imminent contract expiry, and a potential transfer that would reshape the defensive framework of both Zenit and CSKA Moscow. The evolving developments are watched closely by fans and analysts who understand how a single defender’s move can ripple through squad dynamics, youth development plans, and the budgeting that underpins modern football at the highest level in Russia and beyond. The coming weeks are expected to reveal whether Krugovoy remains with Zenit under the proposed terms or moves to CSKA as part of a broader reshaping of the league’s defensive ranks, with all parties seeking stability and performance for the remainder of the season and the next campaign. This scenario underscores the realities of top-tier football where timing, contracts, and on-pitch form converge to influence a player’s career trajectory and a club’s strategic direction. As discussions progress, supporters will be seeking clarity on the player’s role, the financial framework of the offer, and the implications for Zenit’s squad planning in the months ahead, including potential impacts on reserve team development and pathways to first-team opportunities within the club’s system .