CSKA club president Andrejs Vatutins, in a conversation with Sport-Express, confirmed the departure of team captain Hayes from the team.
In the ranks of CSKA, the American striker twice won the title of Euroleague winner and was elected to the symbolic team of the decade of the main European basketball club trophy.
“I regret to say that the news of Hayes leaving CSKA is true,” Vatutin said. “He called me, the coach, many at the club in the morning and informed teammates that he needed a new challenge, that he wanted to change conditions after seven successful seasons in Moscow.”
“His contract was valid until the summer of next year, but it provided for the possibility of terminating the contract in the case of fixed compensation,” explains the club’s president. “Of course, it’s hard to come to terms with this news, we used to want to continue working together, but the player’s decision remained the same.”
Vatutin notes that he respects and understands the wishes of a person who “gave so much to CSKA, won great victories and became a friend to each of us”.
“We wish him and his family health and success in a new place,” says Vatutin. “Now the clubs and the agent are coordinating all the transition documents. We will then officially announce it.”
According to Sport-Express, the next Hays club will be Milan’s AX Armani Exchange Olimpia, coached by former army team coach Etore Messina.
