Andrey Arshavin rejoins Zenit St Petersburg

Andrey Arshavin has rejoined former club Zenit St Petersburg after being released by Arsenal.

Arshavin joined Arsenal from a reported £15million in January 2009, but his time at the Emirates was not as successful as either party would have liked.

He played just 80 minutes in the Premier League last season to take his total number of appearances to 144 and the club decided against offering him a new contract.

“One of the best footballers in Russia of the last decade is returning to his home city,” Zenit said in a statement.

Arshavin spent nine years with the club and he has agreed a two-year deal to rejoin the Russian club.

“I am very glad that it happened. I am glad to get back to the city. It’s good to wear the Zenit shirt. I just want to play football,” he told the club’s official website.

“Of course, I want to return to the national team. I do not know whether being at Zenit helps this or not. I just want to play football. And I want to do it in my hometown.”