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Alexander Kerzhakov Biography
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Aleksandr Kerzhakov (Russian: Александр Анатольевич Кержаков) (born November 27, 1982 in Kingisepp) is a Russian international footballer. The striker plays for the Spanish La Liga team Sevilla FC.
Football career
Aleksandr Kerzhakov graduated from Zenit football school. He spent the 2000 season in amateur club FC Svetogorets Svetogorsk, scoring 18 goals and helping them win the Northwest regional league.
In 2001 Kerzhakov moved to FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, debuting in March but scoring his first goal in June against Spartak Moscow. He helped Zenit to the third position in Russian Premier League in 2001 and the runners-up position in 2003. In 2004 Kerzhakov became the league's top scorer with 18 goals.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov played for Russia U21 team in 2001-2003. He debuted for the Russia national team in 2002. Kerzhakov was the part of Russia squad at 2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004. Kerzhakov along with Andrey Arshavin are the key strike parternship in the Russian national team because of his shear pace and pin point shooting accuracy (and power) as well as incredible dribbling accuracy.
Kerzhakov scored 16 goals in his 23 matches for Zenit in the UEFA Cup.
On December 28, 2006 Kerzhakov completed his 5 million Euros transfer from Zenit to Sevilla FC signing a 5½ year contract worth 15 million Euros.[1] Aleksandr did not have a very good relationship with Zenit St Petersburg manager Dick Advocaat. He played his first match with Sevilla FC on January 14, 2007.
Despite his transfer to La Liga he is still being overlooked by Russian national team coach Guus Hiddink, he was recently left out of the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
However, after a very successful start of his Sevilla career, manager Guus Hiddink re-called Kerzhakov to the national time, and he is expected to start alongside Dmitry Sychev against Estonia on March 24, 2007. He showed that he belonged on the team by scoring 2 goals in the 2-0 victory.
Personal life
Aleksandr is married and has a young daughter.
It was reported in Russia that he had an affair with tennis player Anastasia Myskina. These reports were denied by both Aleksandr and Anastasia, however it is believed they became romantically involved after Russia's Fed Cup campaign in 2005, which they won.
In 2002 Kerzhakov authored an autobiography called Before and after 16
source: wikipedia.org
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