Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to American boxer Kevin Johnson and Canadian hockey player Brendan Leipsic, according to a decree published on Tuesday on the Russian government’s website, Reuters reported.

Boxer Kevin Johnson and hockey player Brendan Leipsic received Russian citizenship

Russian newspaper Izvestia reported in September that heavyweight boxer Johnson asked Putin for Russian citizenship shortly after adopting the Russian name Volodymyrovich, a decision he said he made in honor of the Russian leader.

Leipsic, who was fired from the Washington Capitals in 2020 after making misogynistic comments and inappropriate remarks about other players, has since played for Russian hockey teams. In July, Russian media reported that he had written to Putin asking for citizenship.

Russia previously granted citizenship to several Western celebrities who requested it and publicly spoke out in support of Russia, including American actor Steven Seagal and French actor Gerard Depardieu, writes News.ro.