Zenit signed a contract with Ivan out of desperation, says Nigmatullin

Zenit signed a contract with the Brazilian Ivan Quaresma out of desperation, because the club could not find a goalkeeper for a long time, former Spartak goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin told RB Sport.

– Zenit signed the Brazilian, because for various reasons it was not possible to sign any of the Russians. Now buying foreigners is a big risk, because they can break the contract at any time. I think that Zenit did this out of desperation, because they have not been able to find a goalkeeper for a long time.

Various rumors are circulating in the press about many goalkeepers and Zenit’s interest in them, but for various reasons there were no transfers – someone is too expensive, someone simply does not fit. Strengthening in this line, of course, was necessary, because in the goalkeeper line of “Zenith” there has not been a certain stability lately. The goalkeeper line is far from being the strongest in Zenit.

A foreign goalkeeper in Russian football is a big exception, mostly in our clubs Russians are at the gate. We have a good goalkeeping school, so if you take a foreigner for this position, then as a big exception,” Nigmatullin said.

Ivan is 24 years old, he has defended the colors of Corinthians since the beginning of this year and has played three matches for the team. Previously, the goalkeeper played for another Brazilian club, Ponte Preta.