Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov is a Russian footballer who plays for Zenit St. Petersburg and the Russian national team.
A left-sided player who can play full-back or winger, he began his career at localSpartak Tambov before joining top-flight CSKA Moscow in 2004. Domestic and European success followed, and in 2009 he moved to English Premier League clubChelsea for £18 million. After two seasons there he returned to Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala, who sold him to Dynamo Moscow in 2013. He then signed for Zenit in January 2016.
Zhirkov has earned over 65 international caps since 2005. His performance at Euro 2008, in which Russia reached the semi-finals, was recognised with his inclusion in the Team of the Tournament and award as well as Futbol's Russian Footballer of the Year. He was also selected for Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov is a Russian footballer who plays for Zenit St. Petersburg and the Russian national team.
A left-sided player who can play full-back or winger, he began his career at localSpartak Tambov before joining top-flight CSKA Moscow in 2004. Domestic and European success followed, and in 2009 he moved to English Premier League clubChelsea for £18 million. After two seasons there he returned to Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala, who sold him to Dynamo Moscow in 2013. He then signed for Zenit in January 2016.
Zhirkov has earned over 65 international caps since 2005. His performance at Euro 2008, in which Russia reached the semi-finals, was recognised with his inclusion in the Team of the Tournament and award as well as Futbol's Russian Footballer of the Year. He was also selected for Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.