Nikita Saltykov

Nikita Saltykov spent most of his time at Krylya Sovetov out on loan rather than in the first team. Signed by the Samara club in February 2022, he did not make his official debut for them until July 2023, having in the meantime been sent to Zvezda St Petersburg for a season and a half, where he made 22 appearances and scored twice, then to Akron Tolyatti, where he added a goal in 14 matches.

That loan spell paid off. In January 2024 Lokomotiv Moscow paid Krylya Sovetov a fee reported at between 30 and 35 million roubles for him, agreeing a contract to January 2028 and leaving Krylya Sovetov with a 20% sell-on clause. Saltykov finished out the 2023/24 season on loan back at Krylya Sovetov before the move was completed and he officially joined Lokomotiv in July 2024. He went on to be named the Russian Premier League's Young Player of the Season for 2023–24.

He began his senior career at Chertanovo, making his professional debut in the Russian Second Division in September 2021 and playing nine matches there before his move to Krylya Sovetov.

Saltykov played for Lokomotiv through the 2024/25 season, and by the 2025/26 season had been loaned back to Krylya Sovetov.

At youth international level he has represented Russia widely: 12 caps for the under-16s, five caps and a goal for the under-18s, two caps for the under-23s, and four caps with two goals for the under-21s, a run that continues. He has not yet been capped by the senior national side.