The final match of FC Krasnodar in the RFPL Season 2017/18 against FC Rubin Kazan also became the last one for the two players of the black-greens. Defender Andreas Granqvist and midfielder Joãozinho, they have been the figureheads of the black-green squad for ages.
After the full-time an official sendoff ceremony was held for the two players who mean a lot for the Club. FC Krasnodar Director General, Vladimir Khashig, thanked the players on behalf on the whole Club for their long-standing fruitful performance, whished them success in their future careers and awarded them with commemoratory shirts symbolizing the number of appearances they had made with the black-greens, 181 and 217 respectively.
As their highlight reel was displayed on the giant screens in the stadium, the players took a victory lap around the pitch. Supporters in the stands got up cheering for their favorites in an unceasing ovation.
Andreas Granqvist
Defender, 33 years old
Andreas Granqvist was born on 16 April 1985 in Helsingborg, Sweden. He moved to FC Krasnodar from the Italian club Genoa in August 2013.
First official appearance for FC Krasnodar: 31.08.2013. Russian Football Championship 2013/14. MD 7. FC Krasnodar 3-0 FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod. Krasnodar. Kuban Stadium.
First goal in the official matches for FC Krasnodar: 11.05.2014. Russian Football Championship 2013/14. MD 29. FC Krasnodar 1-0 FC Anzhi Makhachkala. 6th minute (1-0). Krasnodar. Kuban Stadium.
In total Granqvist made 181 official appearances with FC Krasnodar scoring 10 goals (incl. 3 goals from penalty kicks), making 6 assists and earning one penalty kick against the opposition.
He is the FC Krasnodar record holder for the amount of time spent on pitch in the official matches (16159 minutes w/o additional time).
Permanent team captain for FC Krasnodar since 2014, captain of the Sweden national team since 2016.
Bronze winner of the Russian Football Championship 2014/15 and runner-up of the 2013-14 Russian Cup with FC Krasnodar.
Granqvist made the list of the 33 Best Players of the Russian Football Championship in Seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16.
He was acknowledged as the best Swedish defender in 2014 and 2015, and the best Swedish footballer in 2017.
João Natailton Ramos dos Santos (Joãozinho)
Midfielder, 29 years old.
Joãozinho was born on 25 December 1988 in Umbaúba (Brazil). He moved to FC Krasnodar from the Bulgarian PFC Levski Sofia in February 2011.
First official appearance for FC Krasnodar: 06.03.2011. 2010-11 Russian Cup. Round of 16. FC Amkar Perm 0-1 FC Krasnodar. Perm. Zvezda Stadium.
First goal in the official matches for FC Krasnodar: 14.06.2011. Russian Football Championship 2011/12. MD 13. FC Krasnodar 4-2 FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod. 61st minute (3-1). Krasnodar. Kuban Stadium.
In total Joãozinho made 217 official appearances with FC Krasnodar scoring 39 goals (incl. 13 from penalty kicks), making 56 assists and earning one penalty kick against the opposition.
He is the FC Krasnodar record holder for the amount of official appearances, amount of assists provided and total number of points earned under the “goal + pass” system (95).
Best penalty taker in FC Krasnodar history: 13 goals out of 13 attempts.
Bronze winner of the Russian Football Championship 2014/15 and runner-up of the 2013-14 Russian Cup with FC Krasnodar.
Top assist provider of the Russian Football Championship 2012/13 with 14 assists.
Best player of the Russian Football Championship 2012/13 under the “goal + pass” system with 18 points.
Best FC Krasnodar player of the Season 2013/14 according to the poll among supporters.
Joãozinho made the list of the 33 Best Players of the Russian Football Championship in Season 2013/2014.