Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov (Russian: Юрий Валентинович Жирков; born 20 August 1983 in Tambov) is a Russian footballer who play on the left flank or as an attacking left-back. His first coach was Valery Sharapov who signed him for the Tambov Regional Children and Youth Sports School.
Zhirkov started his career at FC Spartak Tambov where he scored 26 goals in 74 games playing as a winger before leaving to CSKA Moscow.
Yuri Zhirkov Biography - CSKA Moscow
Zhirkov joined CSKA Moscow in January 2004. His first participation in an official game was on 7 March 2004 in the Russian Super Cup against Spartak Moscow. CSKA's 3–1 victory gave Yuri his first trophy. Zhirkov made his debut in the Champions League on 27 July against Neftchi Baku PFC. He also appeared in the third qualifying round against Rangers F.C.
Zhirkov won the 2004–05 UEFA Cup with CSKA, and scored in the final as the team beat Portuguese side Sporting 3–1. His goal against Hamburger SV in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07 was chosen as best goal of the competition by UEFA Magazine "Goal". He made six appearances in the group stages, scoring once.
He made his debut in the Commonwealth of Independent States Cup against FC Gomel and was replaced in the 70th minute. The final score was 2–2. In his second game, against FC Pakhtakor Tashkent, he played all 90 minutes, with the final score being 2–1. In the last qualifying match against Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda which also ended 2–1, Yuri played all 90 minutes. After the Cup, Yuri Adzhem claimed that Yuri had a good chance to receive a permanent place in the squad.
Although Zhirkov missed the first game against S.L. Benfica, he participated in the return game. He also took part in both games vs. FK Partizan and made a save in the second game. After beating Auxerre and Parma CSKA made its way to the final. On 18 May 2005 in Lisboa at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Zhirkov scored a goal in the 65th minute and CSKA took the lead 2–1. The final score in that game was 3–1, making CSKA the first football club from Russia to win the UEFA Cup.
Zhirkov participated in all six games of the group stage in the 2006 Champions League. On 6 December 2006 he scored a brilliant goal against Hamburger SV, which was selected as the best goal of the competition by UEFA's official magazine. In the 2007–08 season, however, CSKA lost almost every game in Europe.
Zhirkov began his participation in the following season of European competition on 18 September 2008, against Croatian club NK Slaven Belupo. CSKA came from behind to win their first match 2–1. In the next game, CSKA beat Deportivo, 3–0. Zhirkov provided goal assists against AS Nancy, Feyenoord and scored in the game with Lech Poznań. It was his third goal in European competition.
In 2009, Zhirkov participated in three games in European competitions, two against Aston Villa and one against Shakhtar Donetsk. In the second game, he scored his first goal in the 2009 tournament. In the third game, he was cautioned by the referee and, therefore, missed the next game.
Zhirkov won the 2004–05 UEFA Cup with CSKA, and scored in the final as the team beat Portuguese side Sporting 3–1. His goal against Hamburger SV in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07 was chosen as best goal of the competition by UEFA Magazine "Goal". He made six appearances in the group stages, scoring once.
He made his debut in the Commonwealth of Independent States Cup against FC Gomel and was replaced in the 70th minute. The final score was 2–2. In his second game, against FC Pakhtakor Tashkent, he played all 90 minutes, with the final score being 2–1. In the last qualifying match against Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda which also ended 2–1, Yuri played all 90 minutes. After the Cup, Yuri Adzhem claimed that Yuri had a good chance to receive a permanent place in the squad.
Although Zhirkov missed the first game against S.L. Benfica, he participated in the return game. He also took part in both games vs. FK Partizan and made a save in the second game. After beating Auxerre and Parma CSKA made its way to the final. On 18 May 2005 in Lisboa at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Zhirkov scored a goal in the 65th minute and CSKA took the lead 2–1. The final score in that game was 3–1, making CSKA the first football club from Russia to win the UEFA Cup.
Zhirkov participated in all six games of the group stage in the 2006 Champions League. On 6 December 2006 he scored a brilliant goal against Hamburger SV, which was selected as the best goal of the competition by UEFA's official magazine. In the 2007–08 season, however, CSKA lost almost every game in Europe.
Zhirkov began his participation in the following season of European competition on 18 September 2008, against Croatian club NK Slaven Belupo. CSKA came from behind to win their first match 2–1. In the next game, CSKA beat Deportivo, 3–0. Zhirkov provided goal assists against AS Nancy, Feyenoord and scored in the game with Lech Poznań. It was his third goal in European competition.
In 2009, Zhirkov participated in three games in European competitions, two against Aston Villa and one against Shakhtar Donetsk. In the second game, he scored his first goal in the 2009 tournament. In the third game, he was cautioned by the referee and, therefore, missed the next game.
Yuri Zhirkov Biography - Chelsea
Zhirkov playing for Chelsea against Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Champions League on 19 October 2010
On 6 July 2009, Zhirkov joined Chelsea on a three-year contract for a reported fee of £18m, exceeding the £15 million that Arsenal paid for Andrei Arshavin in January 2009, thus making Zhirkov the most expensive Russian football player of all time. He scored on his debut, in a friendly against AC Milan, that ended as the winning goal. Yuri Zhirkov in race to make Chelsea opener after struggling to shake off knee injury. After regaining fitness from a knee injury, he made his competitive debut at left back against Queens Park Rangers in a Carling Cup tie on September 23.
After battling a knee injury he made a his full Champions League debut for Chelsea on November 25 against F.C. Porto playing as left back setting up the goal for team mate Nicolas Anelka in a 1–0 win, and made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Joe Cole against West Ham United on 20 December 2009.
He made his first Premier League start in a 2–1 victory over Fulham on 28 December. Due to Ashley Cole's injury against Everton on 10 February, which ruled him out for three months, Zhirkov became first choice left back.
He was one of Chelsea's best players in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Inter Milan denying several scoring opportunities from the Italian side's strikers, but it wasn't to be for Chelsea as they were defeated 1–0 on the night and 3–1 on aggregate to end their European dreams again.
On 13 April 2010, Zhirkov put on a man on the match performance against Bolton Wanderers despite receiving an injury which lead to him getting four stitches in his head and had his head bandaged for the remainder of the first half after a clash with the Bolton captain Kevin Davies. In his first season at the club they won the league and FA Cup double making it the club's most successful season ever. His first goal for Chelsea came on 19 October 2010, a volley in a UEFA Champions League match against Spartak Moscow.
He also started in the first team as a replacement for the injured Ramires against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park providing two crucial assists. On 1 March, he came on as a substitute in the 60th minute, replacing Florent Malouda against rvials Manchester United. Zhirkov won a penalty in the 78th minute, taken and scored by Frank Lampard, which led to be the match winner. He also hit the post that caught a defletion of Vidic. The final score was 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
On 6 July 2009, Zhirkov joined Chelsea on a three-year contract for a reported fee of £18m, exceeding the £15 million that Arsenal paid for Andrei Arshavin in January 2009, thus making Zhirkov the most expensive Russian football player of all time. He scored on his debut, in a friendly against AC Milan, that ended as the winning goal. Yuri Zhirkov in race to make Chelsea opener after struggling to shake off knee injury. After regaining fitness from a knee injury, he made his competitive debut at left back against Queens Park Rangers in a Carling Cup tie on September 23.
After battling a knee injury he made a his full Champions League debut for Chelsea on November 25 against F.C. Porto playing as left back setting up the goal for team mate Nicolas Anelka in a 1–0 win, and made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Joe Cole against West Ham United on 20 December 2009.
He made his first Premier League start in a 2–1 victory over Fulham on 28 December. Due to Ashley Cole's injury against Everton on 10 February, which ruled him out for three months, Zhirkov became first choice left back.
He was one of Chelsea's best players in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Inter Milan denying several scoring opportunities from the Italian side's strikers, but it wasn't to be for Chelsea as they were defeated 1–0 on the night and 3–1 on aggregate to end their European dreams again.
On 13 April 2010, Zhirkov put on a man on the match performance against Bolton Wanderers despite receiving an injury which lead to him getting four stitches in his head and had his head bandaged for the remainder of the first half after a clash with the Bolton captain Kevin Davies. In his first season at the club they won the league and FA Cup double making it the club's most successful season ever. His first goal for Chelsea came on 19 October 2010, a volley in a UEFA Champions League match against Spartak Moscow.
He also started in the first team as a replacement for the injured Ramires against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge and Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park providing two crucial assists. On 1 March, he came on as a substitute in the 60th minute, replacing Florent Malouda against rvials Manchester United. Zhirkov won a penalty in the 78th minute, taken and scored by Frank Lampard, which led to be the match winner. He also hit the post that caught a defletion of Vidic. The final score was 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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