Khimki-bound Titov's farewell to Spartak

Khimki switch
Titov, who joined Spartak's academy aged seven, was transfer-listed last week and has opted to sign a two-and-a-half year contract at Khimki, coached by his former club-mate Sergei Yuran. "Yegor said he has offers from several clubs, but did not mind joining Khimki," said Yuran, whose side are one place off the bottom of the Russian top flight. "I want to thank Spartak, who agreed to release Titov for free."

Spartak spell
The 32-year-old midfielder broke into Spartak's senior squad in 1995 and helped them to six straight league titles, during which time he was voted Russia's Footballer of the Year in 1998 and 2000 and won the first of his 41 senior caps. His tally of 442 Spartak appearances is second only to club legend Fedor Cherenkov. Titov told Spartak's website: "I am not saying 'goodbye', just 'see you'. I am sure that our roads will meet meet once again. It is hard to remove 25 years from your heart." Spartak, fourth in the Premier-Liga, begin their UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday with a home third qualifying round first-leg fixture against FC Dynamo Kyiv.