Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba has told fans not to listen “evil tongues and evildoers” as the striker explained the reasons for his departure from the Turkish team Adana Demirspor.

Dzyuba’s time at Demirspor came to an end this month after he played just five games for the club.

Reports in some sections of the Russian media claimed that problems with the payment of salaries were behind the termination of his contract.

But Dzyuba himself issued a message on social media this week stressing that he had left Adana Demirspor on good terms.

“I disappeared a bit from the radar, I had to restart, rethink everything and come back with renewed strength and emotions.” said the 6-foot-4 forward.

“Do not worry, I’m fine. Don’t listen to all these gossips and wicked. They are telling lies. Do not pay attention.

“First of all, I am grateful to Adana Demirspor, the management, the president, for coming forward and we parted ways in a calm and peaceful way.

“It was a balanced decision. I’m not 18 years old, and just sitting and watching games wouldn’t be right for me.” Dzyuba added.

The 34-year-old had joined the Turkish team in August after his contract with Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg expired.

Dzyuba got off to a positive start at Demirspor by scoring on his debut against Fenerbahce, but failed to add to that tally in four subsequent appearances.

Much of Dzyuba’s time was spent on the bench, and he was completely absent from the squad for matches against Konyaspor and Kayserispor at the end of October, indicating that his days at the club were numbered.

After the termination of Dzyuba’s contract was confirmed, Adana manager Vincenzo Montella said that the decision had been mutual and amicable.

Despite his departure from Türkiye and advancing age, Dzyuba insisted that he was capable of achieving more in the game.

“I still have big ambitions, I want to play while I can enjoy it a lot.” said the former captain of the Russian national team in his video message.

“It was an interesting experience in Türkiye, sometimes painful… I met a lot of people, there was a great atmosphere in the team… I was very happy to be there.

“Everything is fine, I will listen to all the offers and I will continue playing football” Dzyuba added.

Dzyuba helped Zenit win four straight Russian Premier League titles before leaving the club as a free agent over the summer.

Internationally, he is Russia’s all-time joint top scorer with 30 goals, tied with former Zenit striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov.

Dzyuba scored his record goal at the European Championship in the summer of 2021, but has not played for the national team since Valeri Karpin took over as manager after the tournament.

Adana Demirspor is currently third in the Turkish Super League, five points behind leaders Fenerbahce and three points behind second-placed Galatasaray.

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