Hulk stands by Zenit switch

Hulk has defended his decision to leave Porto and join Zenit St Petersburg after failing to shine so far at his new club.

The Brazil striker joined Zenit for 50 million euros in September, but has struggled to settle in his new surroundings, with his inconsistent form on the pitch marred by alleged dressing-room disagreements.

However, the 26-year-old recently stated he has resolved his differences with the club, and has claimed he has no regrets over making the move from Portugal.

“I decided to go to Zenit because I had won almost every competition at Porto and I like new challenges in my career. I hope I can carry on winning like that in the near future,” Hulk told O Estado de Sao Paolo.

“I am getting used to my new home. Now I need to focus on football. The biggest challenge in Russia was the cold weather at first but after playing games at minus 12 (degrees), I think I am settling down quickly.

“We will fight for the title in the Russian league and try to win the Europa League.”

Zenit captain Igor Denisov publicly criticised the decision to spend huge sums on the Brazil attacker and midfielder Axel Witsel, but Hulk insisted such issues are now firmly in the past.

“He (Denisov) never said anything to me. They talked among themselves and the board did not like it because it became public. But that is in the past,” Hulk said.

“Today we have a good relationship. All this was overcome. We have no more problems.”