Yaroslav Rakitskiy, a Ukraine international, has quit Russian club Zenit St Petersburg after requesting a release from his contract following Russia’s invasion of his homeland.
Since Russia’s invasion of his own nation, the 32-year-old has not played for the club.
Zenit St Petersburg, a Russian club rumored to be backed by Putin, has acknowledged that Rakitskiy has left the club.
Rakitskiy, who played 108 times for the club, has requested his release.
‘The club and its supporters wish to thank Yaroslav Rakitskiy for his time with us and acknowledge the professionalism and enthusiasm he demonstrated while with us,’ Zenit stated in a statement.
‘We wish Yaroslav, his friends, and his family all the best.’
Due to the controversy surrounding his decision to join the Russian side from former club Shakhtar Donetsk, he was actually dropped by the national squad in 2019.
The Russian defender made 108 appearances for the team, scoring seven goals in the process.
Rakitskyi was capped 54 times by Ukraine before retiring from international football in 2019.