Danny’s delight at Zenit move

Midfielder looking forward to facing Man United and Nani

Portuguese midfielder Danny has completed his 30m euro move from Dynamo Moscow to Zenit St. Petersburg, and says he expects to make his debut against Manchester United on Friday in the European Supercup.

The 25-year-old became the most expensive player in the history of Russian football, after the champions activated the release clause in Danny’s contract, with Zenit boss Dick Advocaat saying that he had signed “the best midfielder in Russia” after completing the capture.

“Zenit is already a big European club,” Danny said of the move. “They always play to win, both in Russia and in Europe, and that was one of my targets. I have been here (in Russia) for four years and it is time to be national champion.

“I still haven’t spoken to the manager, but I read what he had to say about me on Maisfutebol and it made me happy. To be coached by someone who thinks that of me can make all the difference.”

Sacrifice

It has been a long struggle for Danny in Russia since his 2005 move to Dynamo, with his impressive individual performances overshadowed by the underperformance of the club. “I sacrificed a lot for two years before I began to get rewarded,” he recalls. “I knew I’d have to overcome many problems, so I stuck with it. I wanted to improve myself and I am happy with what I’ve achieved.

Danny’s debut for Zenit could hardly be more prestigious, with the former Sporting man set to make his bow for his new club against Manchester United on Friday, where he is likely to come up against international teammate Nani in the Monaco showpiece between the Uefa Cup holders and the European champions.

“Advocaat said that I am going to play on Friday, in Monaco, against Manchester United. I spoke to Nani when we were together in the national team. At that stage, I already had an indication that I would be going to Zenit. I will see him on the pitch; it is going to be a memorable night.”

More to come

Finally, after making his international debut for Carlos Queiroz’s Portugal against Faeroe Islands last week, Danny promises that fans back home have much more to look forward to in terms of his career with the Seleccao das Quinas.

“I wasn’t pleased (with my debut). It didn’t go as well as I had hoped. I tried to do everything I could, but things did not go well for me. People who have seen me play in Russia know I can play much better. You will see what I am capable of in the next matches.”