Russian midfielder Alan Dzagoev said that Rubin head coach Leonid Slutsky played a big role in his transfer to the Kazan club.

Dzagoev left CSKA Moscow in May, for which he had played since 2008. On Friday, the 32-year-old football player signed a contract with Rubin, playing in the First League, until the end of the current season.

— Tell us about your first emotions in Rubin.

– Everything is great. The coach is familiar to me. We said goodbye for a short time, and fate brought us together again. The base is good, the fields are good – everything is fine, everything suits me. Ready for the fight, I’ve already started training with the team, had three training sessions, before that I worked individually, so I’m completely ready for the game, ”said Dzagoev, quoted by the club’s website.

– When did the option with Rubin arise? Have you thought long?

– Yes, everything happened quickly. Leonid Viktorovich called, outlined everything, literally in three days everything was decided. There were no long thoughts. What is it like to move to the First League team? In fact, it is very important that Leonid Viktorovich is the coach of Rubin. Of course, his name played a big role in the transition for me. And the fact that this is the First League is nothing to worry about. There is a task, Leonid Viktorovich told me about it, I’m going to help.

Everyone is interested in how your health is, how your form is.

– Everything is great. After the last game, I rested for two or three weeks. Then he began to calmly prepare, there was enough time. I was engaged on the basis of CSKA, for which many thanks to them. I also worked with Igor Stepanov, he is a CSKA rehabilitation specialist, he brought me into good physical readiness. I myself feel that the readiness is now good, there are no problems. I have already had two powerful workouts here, everything is fine, I survived everything. I can say that over the past four years I have not felt so good in terms of physical fitness. And then only time will tell.

Will you take part in the next game?

– Leonid Viktorovich asked me if he was ready to play, he said that he was ready. Already bored.

What are your personal goals for the season?

– First, to help the team as much as possible. Secondly, of course, I would like to play without injuries. At least I’m doing my best to do so.

On Sunday, Rubin will host Alania Vladikavkaz in the eighth round match of the MELBET First League.