Khimki Moscow signs Petteri Koponen to a three-year deal

BC Khimki signed a three-year deal with the player of Finland National team, 24-yer-old point guard Petteri Koponen, who played the last four years in Virtus Bologna (Italy).

Victor Bychkov, BC Khimki General Manager:

— Koponen brilliantly played for several years in Italy, and during this season had a lot of proposals from well-known clubs, so we are doubly pleased that he preferred our club. The contract was signed for 3 years, but there is an option that after his first or second season Petteri can move to the NBA, cause as we know some NBA clubs are interested in him. Now we can say that the main task of staffing has been resolved. Four players left our club — and four other came instead. All these acquisitions were meaningful and point. It only coincided by chance that the signing of the contracts occurred during past few days, although the work was carried out over a long time. Now we understand the contours of our future team. But the biggest achievement of this off-season is the preserving of the backbone from the last year.

Rimas Kurtinaitis, BC Khimki head coach:

— I kept my eye on Koponen few years ago. Every year he progresses, especially he had a great last season. He successfully playes as a point guard as a shooting guard. Our novice has a good throw, skillfully interacts with centers and playes pick-and-roll nice. Petteri is an ambitious and very hardworking guy, through BC Khimki and Euroleague he wants to enter the NBA.