Toko Shengelia on his departure from CSKA Moscow: 'I was ready for all the consequences' / News - Basketnews.com

Georgian forward Toko Shengelia was officially introduced as a new Virtus Bologna player today in a press conference. The player was present together with Virtus CEO Luca Baraldi and the club's director general Paolo Ronci.

Tornike Shengelia

MIN:24.82PTS:12.73 (53.3%)REB:4.67As:2.47ST:0.93BL:0.27TO:2GM:15ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

Shengelia explained that when he knew about the possibility of joining Virtus, he was very happy to come and be a part of such an ambitious club.

"When my agent told me that there was to the possibility to come here to Italy and join Virtus Bologna, I was really happy. I wanted to be a part of this club with such great ambitions and goals," the player said.

Shengelia was also asked about his decision to leave CSKA Moscow after the start of the war in Ukraine and how were the days before the signing with the Italian club.

"I cannot say that the decision was hard because what's hard is what the people in Ukraine are going through," Shengelia explained. "It was not easy, but at the same time, I've never been so sure about a decision that I've taken, and I stand by it. When I left CSKA, I was ready to face all the consequences which that decision might have brought".

Speaking about his long-term future, Shengelia said that signing until the end of the season was the best thing to do since everything happened so quickly.

"You know, this situation happened so quickly that I wanted to take my time before deciding my future also for the next season. At the end of the season, I will consider all the options, and I'll make the best decision based on my interests and those of my family," Shengelias said to the reporters.

Virtus CEO Luca Baraldi confirmed that the Italian club will do everything to convince Shengelia to stay with the team also in the future.

"We'll have a few months to know each other better, but for sure we'll do everything that we can to convince him to stay here in Bologna, to help him understand that this club is the best option for him going forward."

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