Latvian defender in Russian move
Wednesday, April 3, 2002
Article summary
Latvian defender Valentin Lobanev has joined Russian side FC Metallurg Krasnoyarsk.
Article body
Latvian defender Valentin Lobanev has joined Russian side FC Metallurg Krasnoyarsk from FC Skonto for the rest of the 2002 season.
Unlikely to figure
Skonto coach Gennady Karavaev decided to release the national team player as he was unlikely to figure in the Virsliga champions' campaign when it begins on Sunday.
Strong competition
Eight players at Skonto are competing for the four defensive slots in the team, and Lobanev, despite having played 144 matches for the club, was destined to miss out.
'Unlikely to be included'
Karavaev said: "He would be unlikely to be included in the first eleven." Lobanev will instead link up with the 2001 Russian second division champions.