The captain stays with us!
Forward Nikita Kurbanov (36 years old, 202 cm) has signed a new one-year contract with our club…
Nikita is undoubtedly one of the symbols of CSKA. A Muscovite, a graduate of the Trinta school and the youth project of our club, holds the red-blues’ record both in the number of seasons (15) and the number of games played (728). And it's not so much about numbers, but about the captain's ability to lead partners in the most difficult moments, to unite the team, to take the initiative. Last season, due to injuries in the front line, Kurbanov had to recall the skills of a power forward, the position where he shone during his youth days, and Nikita coped with the task with honor. The CSKA veteran is one of four players who took part in all 47 games of the 2022-23 VTB League.
Andrey Vatutin, PBC CSKA President:
When Nikita and I discussed his appointment as team captain, he had doubts about whether he could handle the additional responsibility and functions of the captain. I am very glad that I was able to find arguments then, and Nikita accepted our offer. Now he is so organic in this role that it is already difficult to believe that there were at least minimal grounds for these doubts. Every year he becomes wiser and more efficient, plus, he becomes an increasingly important factor for the development of the psychology of the winner in each of the teammates. This is understood not only by us, but also by our rivals, and this summer other clubs of the VTB League made some serious offers to Kurbanov. I'm glad that Nikita decided to stay in his hometown team, in the club with which he associates himself, and which, in turn, associates itself with the captain.
Emil Rajkovic, CSKA head coach:
I am very glad that our captain has decided to prolong his playing days and stayed with us for the next season. Kurbi is the face of the club and like always will be very important for our team chemistry and the process of teaching the young players of the values of CSKA. I strongly believe that his experience is invaluable when hard moments will come and I hope he will lead us to many victories as he always did until now.
Nikita Kurbanov, CSKA captain:
I am glad to continue cooperation with my native club. I will do my best to please the club and fans with my work! See you soon!
