Zenit manager Dick Advocaat was eager to laud the arrival of Danny, a player the Dutchman believes to be among the best performers in the Russian league.

He told UEFA.com: "We've been interested in Danny for a while now. I consider him the best midfielder in the Russian league and he can become a very useful member of our team. I see Danny as an attacking midfielder or winger."

Danny had been at Dynamo since 2005 after he signed from Sporting Lisbon, and made 97 league appearances for the Moscow outfit, scoring 16 goals.

The fee involved in the transfer easily outweighs the €16million that Dynamo themselves paid for Danny’s compatriot Maniche in 2005, the previous Russian transfer record.

Dynamo were prompted to negotiate a deal involving Danny, after Zenit met the release clause in the player's contract.

Zenit have not disclosed the details of the player’s contract, who featured in the Moscow derby against Spartak on Saturday.

Dick Advocaat was eager to dispel suggestions that Danny is a ready-made replacement for Andrei Arshavin, and stated that the Russian playmaker’s future is still unresolved.

He said: "No, because Andrei is still with Zenit, and I am still not sure if he is going away." Zenit will contest the European Supercup this Friday in Monaco against Manchester United, by virtue of their UEFA Cup win last season.