The Zvezda Chronicle
Market7 Dec 2026
Roman Zaitsev hands in a written request
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Zvezda can pretend not to have heard.
Squad7 Dec 2026
Abdelaziz Youssouf signs a new deal
“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Abdelaziz Youssouf commits to Zvezda for another 3 years.
Loan watch7 Dec 2026
Aikhan Bakhysh-Zade has seen enough of Krylya Sovetov
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Zvezda, and 0 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Match5 Dec 2026
Zvezda get the job done against Luki-Energiya
A 1-0 win over Luki-Energiya, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
Squad7 Dec 2026
The manager makes an example of Petr Timofeev
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Squad7 Dec 2026
Gonzalo Santacruz knocks on the manager's door
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Zvezda, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
- Market Zvezda pick up Alexandr Lapin for nothing
- Squad Gonzalo Santacruz has company in his position
- Market Berk Kızıldemir linked with a move away