29/10/2014 17:06
USA star Anderson leaves Kazan, needs break from competitive sport
News from the clubs
Kazan, Russia, October 29, 2014. Shocking news from Tatarstan as Russia’s champions Zenit KAZAN and USA Volleyball star Matthew Anderson have announced the termination of the American opposite’s contract with immediate effect. That move follows on a wish expressed by Anderson himself who has admitted suffering from depression, something which prevents him from training and playing with the necessary focus and commitment.
Anderson joined Zenit KAZAN in the summer of 2012 after playing professionally in Korea and Italy. He played 98 matches with the shirt of Zenit, winning the 2014 edition of the Russian Superleague, the 2012 Supercup as well as a bronze medal from the 2013 CEV Volleyball Champions League. According to many experts, Anderson was the best player of the Final Six of Russia’s national league held last April in Ekaterinburg, but eventually was not presented with the award for the MVP of the competition.
Anderson released an official statement via the website of Zenit: “Firs of all, I would like to stress that this decision has nothing to do with a conflict with any of my teammates or our coach, or even with the management of Zenit. Everything here in Kazan has been always organised at the highest level. I decided to stop my career and this is entirely my decision because I feel tired of Volleyball. Ever since I started playing professionally, I almost had no chance to see my family. Because of this I do not feel comfortable and have been dealing with stress. This critical condition and home sickness have reached their peak before the start of this season. I thought I could stand and overcome depression, but in the end I was wrong. I will miss the remainder of the season but I am not finished with Volleyball yet. I just want to have a break. I think that this break will help me get back the passion and love for the game. I am grateful to our fans for all the support they provided. I hope they will understand me and my decision.”
Zenit KAZAN is one of three Russian teams set to participate in the 2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League. The winners of the 2008 and 2012 editions of Europe’s elite competition have been drawn in Pool D alongside VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN of Germany, Greece’s Olympiacos PIRAEUS and Austria’s Posojilnica AICH/DOB.
|