Ex Hearts winger agrees to join latest club a month after Tynecastle exit as release clause triggered
Former Jambo is on the move again for the third time this year
Former Hearts winger Islam Chesnokov has agreed to join Russian Premier League side Krylia Sovetov - exactly a month since he left Tynecastle to go back to his native Kazakhstan.
The 26-year old made only six appearances for FC Tobol after returning there from Tynecastle in June and is now on the move again. Reports suggest Chesnokov has a clause in his contract that he’d be released immediately if any top flight Russian sides made a move for him.
The left-sided right-winger - who’s earned 26 Kazakhstan caps - came to Hearts from Tobol last season with big expectations given his strong reputation for his country. Despite some teething issues, he officially signed for the Jambos in January after a pre-contract agreement was drawn up last summer but the move didn’t go to plan.
Chesnokov set for second move within a month
Chesnokov eventually arrived in the capital on a pre-contract agreement from Tobol during the winter transfer window following the expiry of his Tobol contract at the end of October, but weeks prior to the move there was speculation the player was looking to get out of the deal, which had been agreed in the summer.
The winger made only 11 appearances during the second half of Hearts’ title-chasing campaign but wasn’t able to make an significant impact. His only goal came in a 1-0 victory over Falkirk in February. The Jambos ultimately fell short in their quest to win their first Scottish top flight since 1960, losing out to Celtic on the final day.
After a failed six month spell at Tynecastle, Chesnokov returned to Tobol on June 28 for an undisclosed six-figure fee. The Jambos issued a short 30-word social media post announcing his departure. It read: “Islam Chesnokov has left the club to join FC Tobol. He makes a permanent move back to Kazakhstan for an undisclosed fee. The club wishes Islam well for the future.”
A month on the Kazakh side are set to reimbursed for their reported fee, with Krylia Sovetov also targeting a six-figure deal. The Samara-based outfit came 11th in the top flight last season and have begun the new campaign with a goalless stalemate against Dynamo Moscow.