Released from a French prison, Kasatkin became a player for the Yenisei basketball team.

The basketball club of the VTB United League “Yenisei” announced the signing of a contract with attacking defender Daniil Kasatkin.

The contract with the 26-year-old player runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. On Thursday, Kasatkin was released from a French prison and returned to his homeland. According to the FSB, the Russian was exchanged for a French citizen, who was accused of espionage in Russia.

– I’m glad that we will cooperate. Daniil is in the best years of his career and can help the team a lot. We understand that he will need time to adapt after a difficult period, and we will gradually increase the load. I am sure that signing a contract with him is an excellent decision for both parties,” said Yenisey head coach Jovica Arsic.

In the 2024/25 season, the average statistics of Kasatkin, who played for MBA-MAI, were 6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.4 steals in 18 minutes on the court.

After 20 matches with eight wins and 12 losses, Enisey is in seventh place in the VTB United League.

In June 2025, Kasatkin was arrested in France at the request of the United States. He was suspected of participating in a hacker network engaged in extortion. He faced up to 25 years on charges of “computer fraud” and “electronic fraud.” The athlete did not admit guilt. Kasatkin was subject to extradition to the United States.

Watch live broadcasts of VTB United League matches on the television channels of the Match holding company, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.

• Fridzon – about the released Kasatkin: “This season will be hard for him, but next season everything will work out”
• Kasatkin’s lawyer called the release of the basketball player from a French prison a success
• Basketball player Kasatkin admitted that in prison he was visited by thoughts of retiring from his career