Fredrik Claesson has signed for the KHL.
Now his agent breaks the silence about the sawn deal.
– There is really nothing to discuss, says Aljosa Pilko to Expressen.
Fredrik Claesson was really sawn in hockey-Sweden when he last week it became official that he signed for the Russian arm team CSKA Moscow. He thus leaves the NHL after several seasons, and he is not the only Swede.
Responds to criticism
Previously, defender Robin Press has also extended his contract in Russia, and right now it looks like there will be a handful of Swedes who play in the league next season. But the fact is that Claesson signed the contract in Russia a long time ago.
His agent, Aljosa Pilko, is now breaking the silence about the move, saying that everything was ready even before Russia invaded Ukraine.
– There is really nothing to discuss. He had no other choice. This was completed before New Year. The rules are simple: play or pay back. Breaking his contract is very expensive, says Pilko to Expressen.
“We are not politicians”
The agent also believes that the criticism that Claesson has received is unfair.
– I have said it before and I will repeat myself: We are not politicians, we do sports, and we do what is best for our hockey careers and no one can judge us for that.
In addition, Pilko believes that there are other historical events that are forgotten, and where the hockey players have not been blamed.
– How many Swedes played hockey in North America then? How many decided to leave the United States then? Then nothing happened and this is no difference. We are athletes and will not do anything different compared to before.
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