Lokomotiv Moscow confirmed that defender Mark Mampassi will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Türk Antalyaspor, with the Turkish club holding an option to buy at the end of the campaign. This move signals a strategic step for both clubs as they navigate the mid-season window and assess how the young forward will adapt to a different league environment. Lokomotiv’s announcement stressed the club’s best wishes for Mampassi, emphasizing the importance of regular match practice and competitive rhythm as he integrates with his new teammates.
The 19-year-old player, born in Donetsk and a product of the Shakhtar Donetsk academy, joined Lokomotiv in December 2021 on a five-year contract and also holds Russian citizenship. His early years in Russia were highlighted by development within Lokomotiv’s system, where he began to establish himself as a promising defender capable of contributing both defensively and in build-up play. Despite limited first-team opportunities in his initial seasons, Mampassi demonstrated resilience and continued professional growth, which laid the groundwork for this loan move that could unlock more extensive playing time and exposure in a different tactical setup.
During the 2022/23 season, Mampassi appeared in nine matches across all competitions, a tally that did not include any goals. The loan move will test his ability to translate training-ground form into consistent performances in Liga and domestic cup competitions, while also offering Turkish scouts a clearer picture of his potential trajectory and long-term suitability for higher levels of competition. Lokomotiv, currently mid-table in the Russian Premier League, has faced a challenging run of results and a struggle to climb the table as the season proceeds, making experience at a new league environment particularly valuable for a young defender seeking to accelerate his development and re-emerge as a trusted option upon his return.
As the Russian Championship pause gives clubs time to reassess rosters, Lokomotiv sits in fourteenth place with a tally of 13 points—three wins, four draws and ten losses. The club’s strategic planning for the rest of the season includes evaluating loan spells and rotation opportunities to balance squad depth with competitive demands. The transition of Mampassi to Antalyaspor is framed within a broader context of players seeking match experience abroad to sharpen their tactical understanding, positional awareness, and physical readiness. It remains to be seen how this loan will influence Lokomotiv’s defensive options when the league resumes in March, and whether Mampassi’s spell away will accelerate his readiness for higher levels of competition in the future, potentially informing transfer approaches and development paths for other young players at the club.
Additionally, comments from former Spartak captain Georgy Jikia regarding Artem Dzyuba’s transfer to Lokomotiv have drawn attention to the club’s evolving transfer strategy. Jikia’s remarks underscored the expectations surrounding big signings and the role such moves play in shaping team dynamics, leadership, and on-field performance for the remainder of the season and beyond. The transfer chatter highlights Lokomotiv’s ongoing effort to balance youth development with experienced talent, aiming to stabilize performance and restore competitiveness as the league resumes.