Brazilian defender Mario Fernandez, who also holds Russian citizenship, has agreed to a two-year contract with Zenit St. Petersburg. The confirmation was reported by sports media outlets.
According to the sources, the agreement spans two seasons and is said to be finalized without a formal public unveil until Zenit wraps a Russian Super Cup clash with CSKA on July 15.
The club is planning a formal presentation on July 17.
Brazilian journalist Alexandre Pretzel had floated the idea of a move to Zenit on July 6. Fernandez spent a decade with CSKA Moscow, collecting three Russian Premier League titles and one Russian Cup during his time with the club.
Ahead of CSKA’s final match of the 2021/22 season, it was reported that the 31-year-old former Russia international defender decided to pause his career indefinitely. Later, in December 2022, he joined Internacional in Brazil on loan from CSKA, spent a few months with the club, and left in April 2023.
During his tenure with the Russian national team, Fernandez helped guide the squad to the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a tournament remembered for the hosts’ surprising run and the eventual champion’s path.
Criticism arose from former Russia head coach Igor Korneev regarding Fernandez’s decision to move to Zenit, highlighting the political and club dynamics that often accompany transfers of players with dual national status.