Yegor Sokolov Completes Move to Ak Bars
Torpedo GD Yevgeni Zabuga explains why Sokolov's transfer to Ak Bars was routed through Dinamo Minsk rather than a direct sale.
Yegor Sokolov's move to Ak Bars went through in two steps rather than one. Torpedo traded the forward to Dinamo Minsk on 8 September.
Torpedo general director Yevgeni Zabuga explained the route on the club's behalf.
Zabuga said Ak Bars had been interested in Sokolov since the spring but that head coach Rifat Valiullin didn't have final say. Nobody says that. Torpedo and Ak Bars had an understanding that they could return to the transfer once Ak Bars had finished other signings, and the Minsk detour was just a formality.
Money was not the point, according to Zabuga, who said Torpedo were more interested in strengthening ties between the clubs, with further business possible involving players already at Ak Bars.
Sokolov now leaves Torpedo's rotation, where Zabuga acknowledged he was not getting the role he expected, delaying the switch.
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