As it was made known today via their official website CSKA has signed Russian center Dmitriy Sokolov (24, 214cm) who had spent the last three seasons playing for UNICS Kazan.
Last season he averaged 8 points and 4.5 rebounds in the Russian Superleague and 11 points and 4 rebounds in EuroCup.
This is just the start of signing young Russian players for CSKA who have declared their will to invest heavily in local talent due to recent budget cuts.
CSKA General Manager Andrei Vatunin stated:
"I would like if I said that signing Dmitriy was not a priority for us. We were close to signing him several times, with the last time being three yeas ago when he eventually signed for UNICS but we have finally signed him. I see that "Dima" wants to prove himself and that he genuinely wants to play for CSKA. We agreed terms very quickly. Our coach knows Sokolov very well since he coaches him in junior National Teams and that was very important for us. "Dima" understands that playing for a club such as CSKA is a great responsibility and he is ready to work very hard"
On his behalf Dmitriy Sokolov said:
"I am delighted to have signed with such a glorious club as CSKA, a dream for every basketball player. If you haven't played for CSKA you can not claim you had a great playing career. I needed to make a quality leap and try my possibilities in Eurleague. I am ready o help my team in any way I can."
