2023-07-17 10:43:07
Hockey, 17 Jul, 13:43
Hockey player renounced citizenship of the Czech Republic for the sake of playing in Russia
In connection with the receipt of a Russian passport, the striker of the “Lada” Ostap Safin will not be considered a legionnaire in the KHL
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(Photo: Global Look Press)
Forward Ostap Safin renounced his citizenship of the Czech Republic in order to play for the Togliatti Lada, which will return to the KHL in the upcoming season five years later. About it informed sports director of the club Rafik Yakubov, quoted by the press service of the club.
“Safin will not be considered a legionnaire in the KHL after all the remaining documents have been completed,” said the sports director. “He renounced his Czech citizenship and should soon receive a Russian passport.”
In June, the Czech government banned the country’s athletes from participating in tournaments in Russia.
Safin has Russian roots. The hockey player’s family moved to the Czech Republic a few months before his birth.
Safin was drafted 115th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the NHL in 2017.
In the Czech Republic, he played for the Prague “Sparta”, “Stadion Litomerice” and “Banik”. He also played in the junior leagues of Canada and the North American minor leagues.
As part of the youth team of the Czech Republic, he became the winner of the Glinka Memorial. He also played for the national teams at the junior and youth championships.
In the summer of 2023, Lada signed a trial contract with Safin. The Togliatti club will play in the KHL for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
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