Spanish “Real Sociedad” midfielder Arsen Zakharyan discussed his high-profile move in a series of press conferences, focusing on life in San Sebastian and the days ahead after transitioning from Dynamo Moscow. The 20-year-old playmaker spoke candidly about the conversations he has already had with former Real Sociedad icons Valery Karpin and Dmitry Khokhlov, emphasizing how their memories of the club and the city have already shaped his expectations and approach to the new chapter in his career.
In these exchanges, Zakharyan revealed that he has not yet had a chance to sit down with the head coach of the Russian national team about his departure from Dynamo Moscow. However, he noted that he did speak with the coach of Sochi, a discussion that helped him gauge the broader picture of Russian football’s current landscape and the potential impact of his move on his national team aspirations. The midfielder described the conversations with Khokhlov as practical and encouraging, with Khokhlov offering tips on the best places to visit and the nuances of living in San Sebastian. These practical insights, coupled with Khokhlov’s personal anecdotes, helped Zakharyan feel more settled about the transition to a new country, a new team, and a new footballing culture.
On August 19, Real Sociedad confirmed the signing of Zakharyan, announcing a six-year contract that secures the young midfielder in the Basque club’s long-term plans. The deal signals Real Sociedad’s confidence in his potential to contribute to the squad’s technical style, pressing philosophy, and attacking creativity from the middle of the park. The announcement underscored the club’s intent to invest in a future-ready talent who can adapt quickly to La Liga’s demands and the Spanish football calendar as a whole.
Before committing to Real Sociedad, Zakharyan had drawn interest from major European leagues. Reports indicated that Chelsea in England had shown clear intent, alongside Dutch powerhouses Ajax and Feyenoord, who were both monitoring his development with keen interest. These clubs have a track record of nurturing young talents into mature, high-performing professionals, and Zakharyan’s agents and advisers reportedly weighed multiple factors before finalizing the move that would best accelerate his growth and provide regular top-tier competition. The pursuit from multiple prestigious clubs underscored the level of attention the Russian midfielder attracted during the transfer window and highlighted the growing market for young, technically gifted central players in Europe.
Meanwhile, the transfer story also included a lighter, human note. Earlier in the summer, Spartak Moscow midfielder Theo Bongonda commented that he had learned a few words in Russian, a small but telling reminder of how pathways between clubs, players, and coaches can expand cultural exchange and mutual understanding within football’s international ecosystem. Such exchanges often foreshadow seamless integration on and off the pitch, a factor clubs consider alongside tactical fit when welcoming a new teammate from abroad.