Ruslan Apekov

Ruslan Apekov came through Krasnodar's youth ranks, moving from Krasnodar-3 to Krasnodar-2 before earning a run with the first team in the Russian Premier League across the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. His time there stayed limited to seven appearances without a goal, and in January 2023 he left on loan for Akron Tolyatti, a move made permanent that summer.

It was after that switch that his career picked up pace. A transfer to KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny followed, with a sell-on clause leaving Akron a share of any future fee. That clause paid off: during the 2025/26 season Apekov became one of the First League's leading scorers, netting nine goals in 18 matches for KAMAZ. The form prompted Torpedo Moscow to sign him in January 2026, again for a fee split with Akron under the same arrangement.

Along the way, Apekov earned the title of Master of Sports of Russia and was named Best Young Player of the Month in the PFL South group, recognition tied to his development through the lower tiers of Russian football. He has not been capped for the senior national side.