The last part of the puzzle in the transfer of Tine Urnaut to Zenit St. Petersburg has been solved. After we wrote that the Russian club showed interest in the player and reached an agreement in principle, the terms should have been agreed with the club that has a valid contract with Urnaut for the next two seasons.
A statement confirming the agreement with the Russian side was published on the Jastrzębski Węgiel website today and that the agreed compensation for the contract buyout had been paid. With this act, as it now seems, this transfer turnaround ends and Tine Urnaut becomes a player of Zenit St. Petersburg. With this act, as it now seems, this transfer turnaround ends and Tine Urnaut becomes a player of Zenit St. Petersburg.
But in order not to pass in a conciliatory tone after the agreement reached by all three interested parties, an official announcement was made by the Polish champion, expressing dissatisfaction with the whole situation and actions of Tine Urnaut, who wants to continue his career in Russia.
This is the club’s statement – the original version of the statement can be found here.
“The Management of the Jastrzębski Węgiel S.A. Sports Club informs that the player Tine Urnaut asked our Club to terminate – by mutual agreement – the contract that was binding on us.
We admit that we feel very surprised and disgusted by this situation, because Tine Urnaut signed a contract with Jastrzębski Węgiel, which was to be valid for the next two seasons. The transfer of the Slovenian player to our Club was officially announced by our club on June 10, 2021.
In the video prepared for this occasion, available on our club channel on YouTube, the Slovenian player, among other things, says: “The main reason why I decided to sign a contract with Jastrzębski Węgiel is the great ambitions of this club. It’s also a big motivation for me. “
Currently, Tine Urnaut does not intend to defend the colors of Jastrzębski Węgiel, because she wants to play in the Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg, about which he informed our club. The captain of the Slovenian national team put our club in a very difficult situation with his decision. Tine Urnaut was to be one of the key figures in the team led by coach Andrea Gardini. The team was built for the upcoming season with the goal of defending the title our club won this season. The lack of Tine Urnaut in the lineup can negatively affect the achievement of this goal.
However, as a Board, we have adopted the principle of working only with people who put the interest of our club on the first place. Since the captain of the Slovenian national team is not familiar with this rule, we agreed with the player’s departure to the Russian club.
At the same time, we express our deep disapproval of this type of practice, especially since the Club has unpleasant experiences from the past in this area. As the Latin sentence says: “Pacta sunt servanda” (“Agreements must be kept”). We believe that Tine Urnaut’s behavior is unprofessional, unethical and, in our opinion, does not befit the captain of the national team.
As you know, the transfer market practically closed in July. Especially when it comes to high level players. Despite the fact that we have received compensation from the Russian club and secured funds for this purpose, finding a valuable replacement at this stage is not easy for our club.
However, we assure you that the situation does not change our sporting goal for this and next season. Jastrzębski Węgiel will make every effort to find a worthy replacement for Tine Urnaut and successfully fight for the dreams of our club, our partners and our fans.
President of the Management Board of KS Jastrzębski Węgiel S.A. Adam Gorol “
It worth to be mention again that Tine Urnaut informed Jastrzębski Węgiel of the new situation and his wish, that Zenit St. Petersburg established contact with the other side and that an agreement was finally reached, suggesting that all three sides were satisfied. Especially since there was virtually no “contract consumption,” and the Polish champion managed to get compensation and do a good job. It is true that the transfer period is practically over and that most of the “big” transfers have already been completed. But we must recall that contract terminations and changes during and after the season are not uncommon (last season parting ways with coach Reynolds and the signing of Gardini) as well as contract buyouts and that in this case a satisfactory solution seems to have been sought for all three parties.
Tine Urnaut reacted to this announcement of the club via social networks.
“Over the last few days I have been subject of disparaging statements from the Jastrzębski Węgiel club. I am surprised and shocked for the violence of what is written as it does not correspond at all to the tones and contents of the negotiation that led to a consensual agreement that was advantageous for both. The tones have always remained within the confines of common sense including our last telephone conversation ended friendly. All the requests and compensation from Jastrzębski have been ALREADY met by my new club. The allegations to my person and to the National team of Slovenia are wierd, not relevant; I firmly reject this version of the facts.” wrote Tine Urnaut on social media.
Tine Urnaut made his first volleyball steps in his hometown Ravne na Koroškem, played for Fuzinar, and made his debut in the senior competition at 16. From there, in 2006, he joined the most successful club in his country, ACH Volley Bled. Here is a list of clubs where Tine Urnaut has played so far: Fuzinar Ravne (SLO), ACH Volley Bled (SLO), Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE), Copra Piacenza (ITA), ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle (POL), San Giustino (ITA), Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia (ITA) ), Al Rayyan SC (QAT), Arkas Izmir (TUR), Top Volley Latina (ITA), Diatec Trentino (ITA), Azimut Leo Shoes Modena (ITA), Al Ahli SC (QAT), Fudan University Shanghai (CHN) , Allianz Milano (ITA).
