Youri Nikiforov
| Date of birth | 16 September 1970 |
| Place of birth | Odessa |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Weight | 85 kg |
| Height | 1.85 m |
| Position | Defender |
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.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKA Odessa | |||
| Chernomorets Odessa | 01 Jan 1993 | ||
| Spartak Moscow | 01 Jan 1993 | 01 Jul 1996 | |
| Sporting Gijon | 01 Jul 1996 | 01 Jul 1998 | |
| PSV Eindhoven | 01 Jul 1998 |
Club stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 | CIS | International Friendly | 1 | 3 |
|||
| 1999-00 | PSV Eindhoven | UEFA Champions League | 2 | ||||
| 2000-01 | PSV Eindhoven | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | 26 | 1 |
4
|
1
|
|
| 2000-01 | PSV Eindhoven | UEFA Champions League | 6 |
1
|
|||
| 2000-01 | PSV Eindhoven | UEFA Cup | 6 | ||||
| 2001-02 | PSV Eindhoven | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | 12 | 1 |
1
|
||
| 2001-02 | PSV Eindhoven | UEFA Champions League | 3 | ||||
| 2001-02 | PSV Eindhoven | UEFA Cup | 2 | 1 |
2
|
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 1999 | PSV Eindhoven v Rangers | L | 0-1 | UEFA Champions League | Group F |
| 20 Oct 1999 | Rangers v PSV Eindhoven | L | 4-1 | UEFA Champions League | Group F |
| 19 Aug 2000 | De Graafschap v PSV Eindhoven | L | 2-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 05 Sep 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Willem II | D | 2-2 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 08 Sep 2000 | Fortuna Sittard v PSV Eindhoven | W | 0-3 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 13 Sep 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Dynamo Kiev | W | 2-1 | UEFA Champions League | Group G |
| 16 Sep 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Sparta Rotterdam | W | 2-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 19 Sep 2000 | Anderlecht v PSV Eindhoven | L | 1-0 | UEFA Champions League | Group G |
| 26 Sep 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Manchester United | W | 3-1 | UEFA Champions League | Group G |
| 01 Oct 2000 | FC Groningen v PSV Eindhoven | W | 0-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 14 Oct 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v NEC Nijmegen | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 18 Oct 2000 | Manchester United v PSV Eindhoven | L | 3-1 | UEFA Champions League | Group G |
| 24 Oct 2000 | Dynamo Kiev v PSV Eindhoven | W | 0-1 | UEFA Champions League | Group G |
| 29 Oct 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Ajax | D | 1-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 01 Nov 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Vitesse Arnhem | W | 2-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 04 Nov 2000 | Twente Enschede v PSV Eindhoven | W | 0-2 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 08 Nov 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Anderlecht | L | 2-3 | UEFA Champions League | Group G |
| 18 Nov 2000 | Heerenveen v PSV Eindhoven | W | 1-4 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 23 Nov 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v PAOK Salonika | W | 3-0 | UEFA Cup | 3rd round 1st leg |
| 26 Nov 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v NAC Breda | W | 2-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 01 Dec 2000 | Roda JC v PSV Eindhoven | W | 1-2 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 07 Dec 2000 | PAOK Salonika v PSV Eindhoven | W |
0-1 Agg: 0-4 |
UEFA Cup | 3rd round 2nd leg |
| 12 Dec 2000 | RKC Waalwijk v PSV Eindhoven | D | 1-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 17 Dec 2000 | AZ Alkmaar v PSV Eindhoven | W | 0-5 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 21 Dec 2000 | PSV Eindhoven v Fortuna Sittard | D | 1-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 27 Jan 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v RBC Roosendaal | W | 6-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 31 Jan 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v FC Groningen | W | 3-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 04 Feb 2001 | Sparta Rotterdam v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 10 Feb 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v AZ Alkmaar | W | 3-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 15 Feb 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Parma | W | 2-1 | UEFA Cup | 4th round 1st leg |
| 18 Feb 2001 | NAC Breda v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 22 Feb 2001 | Parma v PSV Eindhoven | L |
3-2 Agg: 4-4 |
UEFA Cup | 4th round 2nd leg |
| 25 Feb 2001 | Feyenoord v PSV Eindhoven | W | 1-2 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 08 Mar 2001 | 1.FC Kaiserslautern v PSV Eindhoven | L | 1-0 | UEFA Cup | Quarter-final 1st leg |
| 15 Mar 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v 1.FC Kaiserslautern | L |
0-1 Agg: 0-2 |
UEFA Cup | Quarter-final 2nd leg |
| 18 Mar 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v FC Utrecht | W | 5-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 31 Mar 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Twente Enschede | W | 2-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 08 Apr 2001 | Ajax v PSV Eindhoven | W | 0-1 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 15 Apr 2001 | Vitesse Arnhem v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 27 May 2001 | NEC Nijmegen v PSV Eindhoven | W | 2-4 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 18 Aug 2001 | FC Groningen v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | 1 |
| 22 Aug 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Den Bosch | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 25 Aug 2001 | Willem II v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 08 Sep 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Fortuna Sittard | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 11 Sep 2001 | Nantes v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | UEFA Champions League | Group D |
| 22 Sep 2001 | Heerenveen v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 26 Sep 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Lazio | D | 0-0 | UEFA Champions League | Group D |
| 29 Sep 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Vitesse Arnhem | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 16 Oct 2001 | Lazio v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | UEFA Champions League | Group D |
| 03 Nov 2001 | Sparta Rotterdam v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 17 Nov 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v NEC Nijmegen | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 22 Nov 2001 | PAOK Salonika v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | UEFA Cup | 3rd round 1st leg |
| 25 Nov 2001 | Ajax v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 28 Nov 2001 | FC Utrecht v PSV Eindhoven | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 01 Dec 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v AZ Alkmaar | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 06 Dec 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v PAOK Salonika | D |
0-0 Agg: 0-0 |
UEFA Cup | 3rd round 2nd leg |
| 09 Dec 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v Twente Enschede | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 22 Dec 2001 | PSV Eindhoven v FC Groningen | D | 0-0 | Dutch KPN Telecompetitie | |
| 21 Feb 2002 | PSV Eindhoven v Leeds United | D | 0-0 | UEFA Cup | 4th round 1st leg |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
International stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 | USSR | UEFA Under-18 | 3 |
1 |
|||
| 1988-89 | USSR | World Youth Cup | 4 |
||||
| 1990-91 | USSR | UEFA Under-21 | 3 | ||||
| 1990-91 | USSR | Under-21 | 1 | ||||
| 1991-92 | Ukraine | International Friendly | 2 | ||||
| 1991-92 | USSR | OT v A | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 1991-92 | USSR | UEFA Under-21 | 3 | ||||
| 1992-93 | Ukraine | International Friendly | 1 |
||||
| 1993-94 | Russia | FIFA World Cup | 6 |
2
|
|||
| 1993-94 | Russia | International Friendly | 2 | ||||
| 1994-95 | Russia | International Friendly | 3 | 1 |
|||
| 1994-95 | Russia | UEFA European Championship | 5 | 2 |
|||
| 1995-96 | Russia | Four Team Tournament, Malta | 3 | ||||
| 1995-96 | Russia | International Friendly | 3 | 1 |
1
|
||
| 1995-96 | Russia | UEFA European Championship | 6 | ||||
| 1996-97 | Russia | FIFA World Cup | 4 | 2 |
1
|
||
| 1996-97 | Russia | International Friendly | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 1997-98 | Russia | Federation Centenary | 1 | ||||
| 1997-98 | Russia | FIFA World Cup | 2 | ||||
| 1997-98 | Russia | International Friendly | 4 | ||||
| 1998-99 | Russia | International Friendly | 1 |
||||
| 2000-01 | Russia | FIFA World Cup | 3 |
1
|
|||
| 2000-01 | Russia | International Friendly | 1 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Russia | FIFA World Cup | 4 |
1
|
|||
| 2001-02 | Russia | International Friendly | 4 | 1 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Russia | LG Cup | 1 | 1 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
International matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul 1988 | USSR v Norway | W | 4-2 | UEFA U18 | Quarter-final |
| 24 Jul 1988 | USSR v East Germany | W | 3-0 | UEFA U18 | Semi-final |
| 27 Jul 1988 | USSR v Portugal | W | 3-1 | UEFA U18 | Final |
| 17 Feb 1989 | USSR v Syria | W | 3-1 | World Youth Cup | Group B |
| 19 Feb 1989 | Costa Rica v USSR | W | 0-1 | World Youth Cup | Group B |
| 22 Feb 1989 | Colombia v USSR | W | 1-3 | World Youth Cup | Group B |
| 25 Feb 1989 | USSR v Nigeria | D | 4-4 | World Youth Cup | Quarter-final |
| 11 Sep 1990 | USSR v Norway | D | 2-2 | UEFA U21 | Group |
| 26 Mar 1991 | Germany v USSR | D | 1-1 | U21 | |
| 18 Apr 1991 | Hungary v USSR | D | 0-0 | UEFA U21 | Group |
| 12 Jun 1991 | Italy v USSR | L | 1-0 | UEFA U21 | Group |
| 17 Aug 1991 | USSR v USA | W | 2-1 | OT v A | |
| 27 Aug 1991 | Norway v USSR | W | 0-1 | UEFA U21 | Group |
| 24 Sep 1991 | USSR v Hungary | W | 2-0 | UEFA U21 | Group |
| 16 Oct 1991 | USSR v Italy | D | 1-1 | UEFA U21 | Group |
| 29 Apr 1992 | Ukraine v Hungary | L | 1-3 | International Friendly | |
| 27 Jun 1992 | USA v Ukraine | D | 0-0 | International Friendly | |
| 26 Aug 1992 | Hungary v Ukraine | L | 2-1 | International Friendly | |
| 08 Sep 1993 | Hungary v Russia | W | 1-3 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 08 Sep 1993 | Hungary v Russia | W | 1-3 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 17 Nov 1993 | Greece v Russia | L | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 20 Apr 1994 | Turkey v Russia | W | 0-1 | International Friendly | |
| 29 May 1994 | Russia v Slovakia | W | 2-1 | International Friendly | |
| 20 Jun 1994 | Brazil v Russia | L | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Finals Group B |
| 24 Jun 1994 | Sweden v Russia | L | 3-1 | FIFA World Cup | Finals Group B |
| 28 Jun 1994 | Russia v Cameroon | W | 6-1 | FIFA World Cup | Finals Group B |
| 17 Aug 1994 | Austria v Russia | W | 0-3 | International Friendly | |
| 07 Sep 1994 | Russia v Germany | L | 0-1 | International Friendly | |
| 12 Oct 1994 | Russia v San Marino | W | 4-0 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 16 Nov 1994 | Scotland v Russia | D | 1-1 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 08 Mar 1995 | Slovakia v Russia | L | 2-1 | International Friendly | |
| 29 Mar 1995 | Russia v Scotland | D | 0-0 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 26 Apr 1995 | Greece v Russia | W | 0-3 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 06 May 1995 | Russia v Faroe Islands | W | 3-0 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 16 Aug 1995 | Finland v Russia | W | 0-6 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 06 Sep 1995 | Faroe Islands v Russia | W | 2-5 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 11 Oct 1995 | Russia v Greece | W | 2-1 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 15 Nov 1995 | Russia v Finland | W | 3-1 | UEFA European Championship | Group 8 |
| 07 Feb 1996 | Malta v Russia | W | 0-2 | FOUR NATION TOURNAMENT, MALTA | |
| 09 Feb 1996 | Russia v Iceland | W | 3-0 | FOUR NATION TOURNAMENT, MALTA | |
| 11 Feb 1996 | Russia v Slovenia | W | 3-1 | FOUR NATION TOURNAMENT, MALTA | |
| 27 Mar 1996 | Republic of Ireland v Russia | W | 0-2 | International Friendly | |
| 24 Apr 1996 | Belgium v Russia | D | 0-0 | International Friendly | |
| 25 May 1996 | Qatar v Russia | W | 2-5 | International Friendly | |
| 02 Jun 1996 | Russia v Poland | W | 2-0 | International Friendly | |
| 16 Jun 1996 | Russia v Germany | L | 0-3 | UEFA European Championship | Finals Group C |
| 19 Jun 1996 | Russia v Czech Republic | D | 3-3 | UEFA European Championship | Finals Group C |
| 28 Aug 1996 | Russia v Brazil | D | 2-2 | International Friendly | |
| 01 Sep 1996 | Russia v Cyprus | W | 4-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 09 Oct 1996 | Israel v Russia | D | 1-1 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 10 Nov 1996 | Luxembourg v Russia | W | 0-4 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 08 Jun 1997 | Russia v Israel | W | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 18 Aug 1997 | Russia v Rest of the World | L | 0-2 | Federation Centenary | |
| 20 Aug 1997 | Russia v Yugoslavia | L | 0-1 | International Friendly | |
| 10 Sep 1997 | Bulgaria v Russia | L | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 15 Nov 1997 | Italy v Russia | L | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | 2nd leg play-off |
| 18 Feb 1998 | Greece v Russia | D | 1-1 | International Friendly | |
| 25 Mar 1998 | Russia v France | W | 1-0 | International Friendly | |
| 22 Apr 1998 | Russia v Turkey | W | 1-0 | International Friendly | |
| 19 Aug 1998 | Sweden v Russia | L | 1-0 | International Friendly | |
| 28 Feb 2001 | Greece v Russia | D | 3-3 | International Friendly | |
| 24 Mar 2001 | Russia v Slovenia | D | 1-1 | FIFA World Cup | Europe group 1 |
| 28 Mar 2001 | Russia v Faroe Islands | W | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Europe group 1 |
| 06 Jun 2001 | Luxembourg v Russia | W | 1-2 | FIFA World Cup | Europe group 1 |
| 15 Aug 2001 | Russia v Greece | D | 0-0 | International Friendly | |
| 05 Sep 2001 | Faroe Islands v Russia | W | 0-3 | FIFA World Cup | Europe group 1 |
| 14 Nov 2001 | Latvia v Russia | W | 1-3 | International Friendly | |
| 13 Feb 2002 | Republic of Ireland v Russia | L | 2-0 | International Friendly | |
| 27 Mar 2002 | Estonia v Russia | L | 2-1 | International Friendly | |
| 17 Apr 2002 | France v Russia | D | 0-0 | International Friendly | |
| 17 May 2002 | Russia v Belarus | L | 1-1 (4-5) | LG CUP | |
| 18 May 2002 | Russia v Yugoslavia | L | 1-1 (5-6) | LG CUP | |
| 05 Jun 2002 | Russia v Tunisia | W | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Finals group H |
| 09 Jun 2002 | Japan v Russia | L | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Finals group H |
| 14 Jun 2002 | Belgium v Russia | L | 3-2 | FIFA World Cup | Finals group H |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.