Andrei Arshavin rejoined Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday after his contract at Arsenal expired.
The 32-year-old had a spell on loan at Zenit last season after seeing his chances limited at Arsenal, where he had fallen out of favour following his move in January 2009.
“I am very glad that it happened,” Arshavin told the club website after agreeing a two-year deal. “I am glad to get back to the city. It’s good to wear the Zenit shirt. I just want to play football.
“Of course, I want to return to the national team. I do not know whether being at Zenit helps this or not. I just want to play football. And I want to do it in my hometown.”