Roman Pavlyuchenko: Spurs players said goodbye with «SuperPav» song

Lokomotiv Moscow new signing Roman Pavlyuchenko spoke to the Russian press about his return to the Russian Premier League.

The Russian international, who recently moved from Tottenham for a fee of £8 million, elaborated on the details of his transfer and recalled his last day at the London club in an interview with Sovetsky sport.

«I am ready to play in the Russian league. We didn’t receive any substantial offers from Europe, no one had the money. But Loko has a lot of money. Just kidding, but, on a serious note, Lokomotiv is a big club, they really wanted to get me, so that’s why I am here. A footballer’s career is not that long, so naturally I want to play regularly.»

«What did Redknapp say to me before I left? He just told me that I am not in the squad for the next game, so I can go home. That cleared things up for me. It was sad saying goodbye to my teammates, but the lads cheered me up with the famous «SuperPav» song.»

The former Spartak Moscow striker also told another newspaper, Sport-Express, why a return to his former club, who reportedly expressed an interest, was not on the cards.

«Occasionally there were rumours of a Spartak approach, but they never materialised into anything substantial. I guess Loko needed me more, and, for my part, the Railwaymen always seemed like a nice club to me, especially with all the former Red-Whites in the squad.»

«How will you feel when you have to face your former teammates on the pitch?»

«I am a professional, so I have to do my job and not worry like a little girl.»

«Are you not sorry to leave London just as Pavel Pogrebnyak is arriving into the English capital?»

«What can I say – he is a tad too late (laughs). I guess it is up to [Andrei] Arshavin to show him around and help settle in England.»