Aleksandr Kerzhakov
From Tekken City
Aleksandr Anatolyevich Kerzhakov (Russian: Александр Анатольевич Кержаков; born November 27, 1982 in Kingisepp) is a Russian international football striker currently playing for FA Barclays Premiership side Tekken City.
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Club Career
Zenit St Petersburg
Aleksandr Kerzhakov graduated from Smena football school in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1999. He spent the 2000 season at amateur club FC Svetogorets Svetogorsk helping them win the Northwest regional league by scoring 18 goals.
In 2001 Kerzhakov transferred to FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, debuting in March and scoring his first goal in June against Spartak Moscow. In his first season, Kerzhakov was the second choice striker behind Alexander Panov. However later in 2001, he helped Zenit finish third in the Russian Premier League and runners up in 2003. In 2002, Kerzhakov quickly developed a striking parternship with Andrei Arshavin which earned them both call ups to the Russian national team.
In 2003, Czech manager Vlastimil Petržela, promoted Kerzhakov as first choice striker which allowed him to become the top scorer of the Russian Premier League in 2004. While under Petržela, Kerzhakov was given a starting position in all four group games of the 2004-05 UEFA Cup and went on to score a hat trick in a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens. The following season, Kerzhakov was in the starting line up once again in Zenit's second straight UEFA Cup campaign. He helped Zenit qualify for the round of 32 by overcoming Vitória, Beşiktaş, Bolton, and scoring a double against Sevilla. In the knockout stages, Kezhakov scored against Rosenborg and Olympique de Marseille as Zenit reached the qaurterfinals to face Sevilla. Kerzhakov gave his best performance by scoring a goal in the away leg but could not save Zenit as they lost out 5-2 on aggregate.
During the summer of 2006, Dick Advocaat was appointed manager and did not start Kerzhakov. As a result, Kerzhakov prepared to leave Zenit.
Sevilla
On December 28, 2006 Kerzhakov transferred to Sevilla FC, signing a five and a half year contract worth €5 million, as part of the deal of the partnership of the clubs. Under then manager Juande Ramos, Kerzhakov was second choice striker behind Luís Fabiano and Frédéric Kanouté. He played his first match on January 14, 2007 and scored his first goal on January 28, 2007 in a 4-2 victory against Levante UD. He scored the winning goal against Tottenham in a 4-3 victory in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals on April 5, 2007. Kerzhakov later contributed to Sevilla's victorious run in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup season.
After Juande Ramos resigned at Sevilla to manage Tottenham Hotspurs in October 2007, Kerzhakov's playing time decreased under caretaker manager Manuel Jiménez. He made only four appearances, being the fifth striker behind Luís Fabiano, Frédéric Kanouté, Javier Chevantón, and Arouna Koné. It was speculated that Kerzhakov would quit Sevilla following interest from Tottenham, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain FC. However, according to Russian newspaper Sport-Express, on January 30, 2008, Kerzhakov stated he will stay at Sevilla to help in the La Liga and UEFA Champions League campaigns.
In February 2008 it was announced that Kerzhakov has signed a three-year contract with Russian side Dinamo Moscow.
Tekken City
In July 2008, Kerzhakov joined Tekken City subject to obtaining a British work permit, and successfully passing a medical. He signed a 3-year-contract. He made his pre-season debut for Tekken City during the Iron Ball Tournament where he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Juventus.
International Career
Aleksandr Kerzhakov began playing for Russian national U21 team in 2001. He made his senior debut for Russia in a friendly against Estonia on March 27, 2002.
Kerzhakov was selected by Oleg Romantsev for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He was on the bench for Russia's first two games against Tunisia and Japan, but substituted Valery Karpin against Belgium.
Kerzhakov went on to score his first goal for Russia in a friendly 1-1 draw against Sweden on August 21, 2002.
Under Valery Gazzaev's successor, Georgi Yartsev, Kerzhakov was called up for the Euro 2004 qualifiers and scored two goals. In the final tournament, Kerzhakov was one of four strikers in the squad along with Dmitri Bulykin, Dmitri Kirichenko, and Dmitri Sychev. He was on the bench for Russia's first game against Spain, but four days later played a full game against Portugal. He was on the bench in Russia's last game against Greece.
After Euro 2004, Kerzhakov was in Russian squad for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Yartsev promoted Kerzhakov to the starting line up along with Dmitri Sychev. With Yartsev's successor Yuri Semin, Kerzhakov's starting position was further strengthened after Bulykin and Kirichenko were dropped from the squad and the recall of Andrei Arshavin.
Under Guus Hiddink, Kerzhakov was the first choice striker ahead of Dmitri Sychev and Andrei Arshavin. However, he was later dropped after limited appearances for Zenit in late 2006. Upon moving to Spain, Hiddink overlooked Kerzhakov for a friendly against the Netherlands in February, 2007, but recalled him in March against Estonia following impressive performances for Sevilla. Kerzhakov went on to score both goals in the 2-0 victory over Estonia. On June 2, 2007, Kerzhakov notched a hat-trick as Russia routed Andorra 4-0. He contributed further to Russia's Euro 2008 campaign by scoring a goal in a 3-0 victory over FYR Macedonia on September 8, 2007.
On 14 May 2008 Kerzhakov was not included in Hiddink's provisional 25 man squad for Euro 2008 due to a loss of form.
Personal Life
Aleksandr is married and has a young daughter. His younger brother, Mikhail, is the third goalkeeper for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.
In 2002, Kerzhakov authored his autobiography titled Before and after 16. (Russian: До 16 и старше)
