Ivan Zaytsev, one of the most recognisable figures in Italian volleyball, has a new club — and it is in Azerbaijan. The 36-year-old opposite hitter has signed with Ordu Volleyball Club based in Baku, as announced by the Azerbaijani side on Wednesday 29 July.
Ordu VK finished second in the Azerbaijan Superleague during the 2025/26 season, losing the final to Khilasedichi. The runner-up finish secured the club a spot in the 2027 CEV Challenge Cup. It is Zaytsev's first move to a club outside Europe's traditional volleyball heartlands.
For the former Italian international, this marks his fifth stint abroad in a career that has taken him across Europe and the Middle East. He previously played for Dinamo Moscow in Russia, Al Arabi in Qatar, Kuzbass Kemerovo in Russia, and Galatasaray in Turkey. His most recent spell was with Cuneo in Italy's SuperLega, following his return from Istanbul.
Ordu VK announced Zaytsev's arrival with a cinematic social media video, dubbing him "The Tsar" and "The Gladiator" — nicknames earned over a decorated career spanning nearly two decades. The signing represents a major statement from the Azerbaijani club, which is looking to raise its profile in men's volleyball.
Zaytsev has been a fixture of Italian volleyball for a generation. He amassed over 200 caps for the Italian national team, earning silver at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, bronze at the 2022 World Championships, and multiple medals at the European Championships. At club level, he won the CEV Champions League with Dinamo Moscow in 2018 and claimed domestic titles in both Russia and Italy.
His move to Azerbaijan continues a trend of high-profile Italian players heading to emerging volleyball markets later in their careers. The Azerbaijani league, historically dominated by women's volleyball, has been investing in its men's competition in recent seasons.
Ordu VK will compete in the upcoming Azerbaijani Superleague season with Zaytsev as the centrepiece of their campaign. The club will also make its debut in the CEV Challenge Cup, adding European competition to its domestic ambitions.
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