He was no longer in the odor of sanctity in Monaco, of which he was nevertheless one of the flagship recruits last summer.
Adrien Moerman (34) left the Principality club on January 20 and quickly found a new destination.
Not just any: the former player from Nanterre and Limoges in particular joined Russia.
“We have signed a contract with Adrien (Moerman) until the end of the season,” the Russian club tweeted, welcoming him to Saint Petersburg.
A message to which the 34-year-old player soberly replied with another tweet: "Come on, Zenit".
The Frenchman will wear number 18 according to a photo and video published in an official club statement.
"When I learned that Zenit was interested and that I could finish the season here, I immediately said yes to my agent," said Moerman quoted in this message, also posted on the Russian club's Twitter account.
Let's go @zenitbasket 🦁💪🏼 https://t.co/ZnAz7QYFsW
— Adrien Moerman (@moerman42) January 26, 2023
A week after his departure with a bang from the Roca Team, Moerman landed in the Russian championship with the desire to pursue a career which saw him notably wear the colors of Roanne, Nancy, FC Barcelona and Efes Istanbul.
"Basketball means a lot to me, so now I'm happy," rejoiced the strong winger who has three French championship titles to his name with Roanne (2007) and Limoges (2014 and 2015).
At Zenit, Moerman joins the leader Thomas Heurtel who arrived in October the day after Euro 2023.
In Russia, he joins 3 French basketball players, 1 volleyball player and 2 hockey players
By signing in Russia, Moerman gives up on a possible selection for the France team.
The French Federation has decided to close the door of selection to players playing in the Russian championship due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
This is not a big concern for the double Euroleague winner (2021, 2002) with Efes Istanbul.
It is no longer part of Vincent Collet's plans for a long time.
The coach of the France team has not called him since 2016.
In Russia, on the other hand, the interior is deprived of the European Cup, Russian clubs being excluded since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
Like him, other French international basketball players have chosen Russian exile, Heurtel and interiors Livio Jean-Charles (29), who signed with CSKA Moscow in July, and Louis Labeyrie (30) now in Kazan after four years in Valencia.
Volleyball player Jenia Grebennikov also plays for Zenit Saint-Petersburg.
Two French international hockey players also play there: Stéphane Da Costa and Yohann Auvitu.
