A transfer to Serie A's Reggiana followed, and Simutenkov spent the next five seasons in Italy (the last with Bologna), scoring a total of only 23 goals.

He scored the golden goal in the final of the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but was released by the Wizards following the 2004 season, at which time he returned to Russia and signed with Rubin.

At the end of season 2005, while made only 3 appearances for Rubin, Simutenkov declared his retirement from professional football.

In this judgment Spanish nationality-clauses for non-EU footballers were found in breach with Community law.

Simutenkov has scored nine goals in 20 caps for the Russian national team, playing in Euro 96, but his last appearance came in 1998.