Youri Nikiforov

A veteran defender he has only just come back onto the international scene after refusing to play for the national side after being fined by the football authorities charged him with tax evasion in 1998. He began his career as a striker at SKA Odessa and played for Kyiv Dynamo and Chomnorets Odessa before signing for Moscow Spartak in 1993. He converted to sweeper despite being dubbed one of the world's most promising strikers by Pele after the Russian under 16 team won the World Championships and this has proved to be a great move. He made his international debut in 1993 and was a regular in the team prior to his row with the Russian Federation. At club level he moved to play in Spain for Sporting Gijon in 1996 but moved to Holland and PSV Eindhoven, as a replacement for Jaap Stam after the team were relegated in 1998. He was persuaded to return to international football by coach Oleg Romantsev in 2001 and played his part in qualification. An impressive sweeper who can play as an old fashioned stopper he may be used from the bench because of his experience.

Appearances in World Cup Qualification: 4.