"Gracious victory offering, champions. Smolov, Dupin, and Gazinsky bid farewell from FC 'Krasnodar'."
FC Krasnodar Bids Farewell to Three Veteran Players as Championship Victory Echoes
In a recent development, Russian football club FC Krasnodar has announced that three of its footballers - Fedor Smolov, Yuri Gazinsky, and Yuri Dyupin - have departed the club following the expiration of their contracts.
The announcement was made through the club's Telegram channel on May 27. Smolov, a prolific striker and the club's all-time top scorer, has been a crucial member of the team since his arrival in 2015. Gazinsky, a stalwart defender, has played for the club since 2013 and ranks second in terms of the number of matches played for Krasnodar. Dyupin, who joined Krasnodar last year, proved to be an integral part of the champion team.
The club extended its gratitude to the departing players, saying, "Thank you for the game, champions."
Amidst the departure of these key players, the club celebrated their first-ever Russian championship title, secured after a 3:0 victory over Moscow's Dynamo on May 24. The triumph has garnered praise from notable figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, and hockey star Alexander Ovechkin. Meanwhile, rival club Zenit Saint Petersburg made light of the situation with a humorous comment.
Fedor Smolov, aged 35, has been a part of Krasnodar from 2015 to 2018, returned to the club in 2024, and has no plans to retire after the championship win. His wife Karina Smolova (née Istomina) hinted at family decisions being made this summer.
Details regarding the future plans of the players, especially Smolov, Gazinsky, and Dyupin, have not been disclosed as of yet.
According to Yuga.ru, FC Krasnodar is set to receive 1.25 billion rubles in prize money for their hard-earned championship. The club is owned by businessman Sergei Galitsky.
In the aftermath of their championship victory, FC Krasnodar is set to undergo significant changes in their squad, as three veteran players, Fedor Smolov, Yuri Gazinsky, and Yuri Dyupin, have bid farewell to the club following the expiration of their contracts. As sports-analysis suggests, the departure of these key players, particularly Smolov, who is not contemplating retirement, might impact the team's performance in future sports.
