Andrei Arshavin looks set to finish his career in Russian football

Andrei Arshavin looks set to finish his career in Russian football after having secured a move to Kuban Krasnodar.

The Russian Premier League team have signed the former Arsenal forward, who has been in steady decline over the last five years. Arshavin was once a £ 16 million signing for Arsenal, which was a club record fee at that time. Since the departure from the gunners, he has been with Zenit St Petersburg. One of the top teams in Russia, Zenit St Petersburg are now managed by former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas.

The club are aware that Arshavin was coming to the end of this contract. However, the club decided not to extend this deal, which could the future of the 34-year-old in major doubt. There was speculation that he would announce his retirement even at this relatively early age. However, he appears to have been convinced to carry on playing by joining Kuban Krasnodar. Last season, the team struggled for form and finished in the 10^th spot. There are a number of financial difficulties at this new outfit, but Arshavin could be one of the important players going forward. Backed by the regional government, it may not be long before the financial situation turns around.

Arshavin was one of the major architects in Russia reaching the semifinals of the Euro 2008. However, he has been unable to recapture that form for club and national team. He has accumulated 75 caps for the national team, but he has not been part of the squad since 2012. Fabio Capello had just taken charge of the Russian national team, but Arshavin was booed by his own supporters back then. This appears to have been the final straw for the player at international level. Arshavin will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes at Kuban.