Former Everton star Diniyar Bilyaletdinov drafted into Russian army

Former Everton midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has been drafted into the Russian army, according to his father, Rinat.

Vladimir Putin announced a ‘partial mobilisation’ last week that will see around 300,000 Russians conscripted into the army for the ongoing war in Ukraine.

He said: ‘Military service will apply only to citizens who are currently in the reserve, especially those who have served in the armed forces, have certain military professions and relevant experience.’

Bilyaletdinov has already served in the military before, almost two decades ago, and his father says he has received the call again, although believes his son is too old to be drafted.

‘Diniyar really received a summons,’ Rinat said via Sports.ru. ‘It is difficult to talk about emotions, because he did not serve, although he did military service, but it was specific, with a sports bias. It was 19 years ago.

‘That is, yes, he took the oath, but served in the sports line. The law still says – to call people up to 35 years old, and he is 37, so there is some kind of inconsistency here.

‘Now he will find out whether this agenda is correct or whether it was sent early. Anything can happen.

‘If there was a general mobilisation, then there is no need to ask questions. In the meantime, the president has established a partial one, everything should be according to the law.’

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Bilyaletdinov signed for Everton from Lokomotiv from Moscow in 2009 for around £9m and went on to make 77 appearances for the Toffees, scoring nine goals