2023-07-28 20:44:31
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently granted Russian citizenship to American defender Brennan Menell, who plays with Dynamo Moscow in the KHL.
According to several media, dont le «Sport-express.ru», Menell would also apply to learn Russian. The 26-year-old full-back has already publicly declared his love for Russia and for the club, with whom he signed a three-year contract extension last April.
“He really likes Russia and Moscow, so he’s ready to stay for a long time,” Dynamo general manager Alexei Sopin told RIA Novosti at the time of the deal.
Menell would also like to represent Russia internationally. His new citizenship should also allow him to do so if ever he were to be called up by the national team.
He reportedly applied for citizenship earlier this month. Menell had ignored the American Embassy’s decree last fall when she strongly recommended American citizens to leave Russia.
Undrafted in the NHL, Menell played five games on the Bettman circuit with the Minnesota Wild during the 2019-20 season. Leaving for the KHL the following season, where he did well with the Dynamo of Minsk, Menell tried his luck once more in North America in 2021-2022, however contenting himself with playing a few games in the American League with the academy clubs. Maple Leafs and Flyers.
Menell finally landed in Moscow last season, where he had two goals and 22 assists in 44 games for Dynamo.
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