Hanley pens new Rovers deal

Hanley pens new Rovers deal

Published Jun. 3, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Ukraine captain Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is to rejoin Zenit St Petersburg this summer after a four-year spell with Bayern Munich.

Tymoshchuk has been celebrating Bayern's historic treble after they added the DFB-Pokal to their Champions League and Bundesliga successes, but has also secured his future by agreeing a two-year contract with Zenit.

In a statement on his website, the 34-year-old said: "Despite offers from around the world, I've decided to tie my future to the club where I have already experienced a lot of happy moments.

"My contract comes into force on July 1 and for the next two years I'll be a player of Zenit St Petersburg, with whom I hope to secure new victories."

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The Russian club also confirmed the deal on their website.

"Midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk will from July 1 continue his career with the blue and white," said a statement. "The agreement is for two years."

Tymoshchuk, capped 127 times by Ukraine, made 132 appearances for Bayern, scoring six goals, since joining in 2009. During that time, he won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal twice as well as this season's Champions League and two Super Cups, but he has found himself used largely as a substitute this past campaign.

He scored 18 goals in 100 appearances during his previous stint with Zenit between 2007 and 2009, winning the Russian league title and UEFA Cup.

The 21-year-old has established himself as a regular in the Rovers first-team and formed a solid partnership with Scott Dann last season, doing enough to earn a Scotland debut in March against Wales.

Hanley said: "As soon as the end of the season came and I heard that the club wanted me to sign a new deal, I couldn't wait to get it done and it feels brilliant.

"I've been at the club for a while now, it's a great club and I'm really happy to extend my stay here."

Gary Bowyer has worked with Hanley since youth team level and he was pleased to get the defender's commitment to the club sorted in plenty of time for the start of the 2013-14 season.

He said: "First and foremost, this is fantastic news for the football club. It is vitally important that we keep hold of our young, home-grown talent, who the supporters can identify with.

"I have been delighted with Grant's progress from the youth team to the first team and this new contract is richly deserved after a superb season for the club.

"He epitomises what we are about - hard working, committed to the cause and a player who is prepared to put his body on the line. It is a great boost for everyone connected with the club and especially Grant, who will be looking to kick on further next season."

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