Financial crisis drives Partizan handball star Sergey Ivanov to Meshkov Brest

Financial crisis drives Partizan handball star Sergey Ivanov to Meshkov Brest
Sergey Ivanov has left RK Partizan and will continue his career at Belarusian club Meshkov Brest, Partizan announced. The Russian right back joined the Belgrade side in summer 2025 and won six trophies during what the club described as its most successful season.

The transfer comes amid a rapid deterioration in Partizan’s institutional and financial situation. On Monday, club president Miljan Žugić resigned, citing the club’s difficult financial position. Under Partizan’s statutes, the resignation also led to the dismissal of the existing board.

The coaching staff changed soon afterward. Spanish coach Raul González terminated his contract, and assistant coach Marko Pavlović was appointed to lead the team for the remainder of the season.

Partizan presented Ivanov’s departure in appreciative terms, saying he had contributed not only on the court but also to the atmosphere around the squad. “The right back … won six trophies in the black-and-white jersey,” the club said, adding that he had been “a leader of the positive atmosphere at training sessions and in the locker room.”

Ivanov is the second officially confirmed player to leave Partizan during the upheaval. Miloš Kos has moved to German club Wetzlar, while Ivanov’s next destination will be Meshkov Brest.