Chaladze makes Russian switch

FC Skonto striker David Chaladze has signed for Russian first division side FC Rubin Kazan'.

Player of the Year
Skonto coach Aleksandrs Starkovs confirmed on Monday that the Latvian Virsliga Player of the Year is leaving the club and is set to join his new team-mates in Russia.

'Not the best option'
"Chaladze left for Kazan today, and will join them at the pre-season camp in two days," Starkovs said. "I think Rubin is not the best option for the player, but this is what David wanted and we went along with his demands."

Undisclosed fee
Skonto were unwilling to disclose the transfer fee for Chaladze, who scored 21 goals in the Virsliga last season. Starkovs was also sure that Skonto, the Latvian title-holders, will not suffer offensively following Chaladze's departure.

‘New season’
"We have good forwards in Maris Verpakovskis, Mihails Miholaps, Vladimirs Kolesnicenko and Aleksandrs Eliseevs," Starkovs said. "I hope they all do well in the new season."

Promotion hopes
Chaladze has signed a one-year contract with Rubin and made it clear that his future with the club depends on whether they are promoted to the Russian Premier League. "Rubin are aiming for promotion this year and if this does not happen I will leave immediately," he said. Chaladze scored 72 goals in 77 league games in Latvia and two goals in eight UEFA Champions League matches.