| Name: | Yury Zhirkov |
| Nationality: | Russian |
| Date of Birth: | 20/08/1983 |
| Height: | 5' 11" (180cm) |
| Weight: | 11st 11lbs (75.0kg) |
| Previous | |
| Clubs: | CSKA Moscow |
| Position: | Midfielder |
Yury Zhirkov signed from CSKA Moscow on a three-year contract in the summer of 2009, and the then 25-year-old spoke exclusively to chelseafc.com on his arrival.
'Any footballer would be happy to sign a contract with Chelsea, and at any time,' he said. 'I always used to watch English football on the TV and know about Dmitri Kharine and Alexey Smertin at Chelsea.'
The Russian linked up with his new team-mates on the pre-season tour of America, making a goalscoring debut against AC Milan in Baltimore before flying home to tie up some loose ends.
A knee injury prevented major involvement back in England, and it wasn't until late September he was able to make a debut, playing 60 minutes in the 1-0 win over QPR in the Carling Cup.
Zhirkov arrived from CSKA Moscow in the summer with a reputation as a pacy winger capable of beating players, but one who could also fill in at left-back.
Injury to Ashley Cole meant we certainly saw the latter, but the form of others, largely Florent Malouda, meant the 26-year-old's attacking prowess only came to the fore in flashes.
The player himself admitted there was a struggle as he adapted to a new country and a new club without the day-to-day involvement that full training allows.
Read More:http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268~30759,00.html
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