Alexei Eremenko
Alexei Eremenko (born Aleksei Alekseyevich Yeryomenko; Russian: Алексей Алексеевич Ерёменко; born 24 March 1983) is a former professional footballer. He is from a footballing family, with his father, Aleksei Yeryomenko, and brothers Roman Eremenko and Sergei Eremenko also playing professionally.
| Eremenko playing for Saturn Moscow in 2009 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aleksei Alekseyevich Yeryomenko | ||
| Date of birth | 24 March 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Rostov-on-Don, Soviet Union | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1990–1997 | Jaro | ||
| 1998 | Tromsø | ||
| 1999 | HJK | ||
| 2000–2001 | Metz | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001 | Jokerit | 15 | (2) |
| 2002–2004 | HJK | 60 | (10) |
| 2004–2006 | Lecce | 35 | (0) |
| 2006–2009 | Saturn | 76 | (8) |
| 2009–2011 | Metalist Kharkiv | 10 | (0) |
| 2010 | → Jaro (loan) | 16 | (7) |
| 2010–2011 | → Kilmarnock (loan) | 31 | (4) |
| 2011–2012 | Rubin Kazan | 7 | (0) |
| 2013 | Kairat Almaty | 14 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Kilmarnock | 40 | (5) |
| 2015 | Jaro | 11 | (0) |
| 2016 | SJK | 5 | (0) |
| 2017 | Spartak Helsinki | 1 | (1) |
| Total | 304 | (35) | |
| International career | |||
| 2003–2013 | Finland | 57 | (14) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2018–2022 | Spartaks Jūrmala (sporting director) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Eremenko was born in Rostov-on-Don in the Soviet Union, but grew up in Finland. He made his breakthrough with HJK in 2002, and became known as versatile midfielder and a set piece specialist. A mediocre spell with Italian club Lecce followed, before he came to prominence at Russian club Saturn. He moved to Metalist Kharkiv in 2009, but was loaned out twice, especially impressing with Kilmarnock where he was nominated for the 2010–11 Players' Player of the Year award. He returned to the club on a permanent deal in January 2014. After failing to negotiate a contract extension, he played in Finland until retiring from football in 2017.
Eremenko represented Finland between 2003 and 2013, and was a key player for the team in 2006 World Cup qualifying, scoring seven goals, four of which came from free kicks. He ended his international career with 57 caps in which he scored 14 goals.
Early life edit
Eremenko was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union but moved to Finland with his family at the age of seven when his father, former FC Dynamo Moscow and FC Spartak Moscow player Aleksei Yeryomenko, came to play in Finland with FF Jaro. He was granted Finnish citizenship in 2003, but still holds a Russian passport as well. He is the elder brother of fellow footballers Roman Eremenko and Sergei Eremenko.[1]
Club career edit
Eremenko spent some time with Tromsø IL in Norway (his father played for the senior team, he himself played for the under-fifteen team) and with the youth academy of FC Metz in France, before returning to Finland to make his Veikkausliiga debut with FC Jokerit in 2001. A trial with Aston Villa followed, but in the next season he moved to HJK, and eventually became the league's top player. He won two Finnish championships and one Finnish Cup with HJK. In the summer of 2004, Eremenko moved abroad, joining Italian Serie A club U.S. Lecce for €250,000. He made 38 appearances with Lecce in all competitions, but after failing to make a major breakthrough at Lecce, he moved to Russian Premier League club FC Leon Saturn Ramenskoye on a four-year deal in January 2006 transfer window for a transfer fee of €1.5 million, becoming a key player for the Russian side.
Metalist Kharkiv edit
On 29 July 2009, Eremenko signed a three-year contract with the Ukrainian Premier League club FC Metalist Kharkiv, and [2] scored his first goal in his debut game against HNK Rijeka.
Jaro (loan) edit
On 12 March 2010, it was announced that Eremenko had been traded back to his first club, FF Jaro, for the 2010 season[3] (his father was the club's manager at the time). He managed to score on his debut, in a Finnish League Cup game against JJK on 20 March 2010. He also continued scoring in Veikkausliiga's opening match against FC Lahti, scoring on a rebound after his unsuccessful penalty kick.
Kilmarnock (loan) edit
On 30 August 2010, it was announced that Eremenko had been loaned to Mixu Paatelainen's Kilmarnock until the end of the season.[4] He scored on his debut in a 2–1 victory over St Mirren. On 5 March 2011, Eremenko was given his second straight red card of the season against Hearts at Tynecastle after an off the ball altercation with the opposition captain Marius Zaliukas.[5] On 11 April, Eremenko stated that he wanted to end his career at Rugby Park.[6] Eremenko was nominated for the 2010–11 Players' Player of the Year award, losing out to Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre.[7]
After returning from his loan spell, Metalist Kharkiv told him he could leave, where he then stated that he had received bids from an English Championship club and a Russian club, with reports that Scottish Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers were interested in signing him.[8] The Championship club was later reported to be the Welsh club Cardiff City.[9] Brighton & Hove Albion, a fellow Championship club, were also believed to be interested in signing him.[10] On 15 July 2011, it was reported in a Finnish newspaper that Eremenko was signing for Leeds United, but the transfer was delayed due to a cancelled flight, which prevented him from linking up with the squad in Scotland.
Rubin Kazan edit
On 30 August 2011, Eremenko signed a contract with Russian club Rubin Kazan alongside his younger brother Roman, for a fee of €500,000.[11]
Kairat Almaty edit
In June 2013, Kazakhstan Premier League club Kairat Almaty signed Eremenko on a free transfer from Rubin Kazan.[12] He terminated his contract with Kairat on 26 November 2013.[13]
Return to Kilmarnock edit
On 28 January 2014, it was announced that Eremenko had re-joined Kilmarnock until the end of the 2013–14 season.[14] On 7 August 2014, he signed a new contract at Kilmarnock, keeping him at the club for the 2014–15 season.[15] At the end of that season, Eremenko left the club after failing to agree to the terms on a new contract.[16]
Return to Jaro edit
On 7 August 2015, Eremenko signed again for FF Jaro, agreeing to a contract until the end of the 2015 Veikkausliiga season, with the contract also containing a clause allowing him to move abroad should he receive a suitable offer.[17]
SJK edit
On 26 January 2016, Eremenko moved to SJK.[18] After just over three months, Eremenko left SJK on 4 May 2016 due to personal reasons.[19]
International career edit
Eremenko made his debut for the Finnish national team on 11 October 2003 against Canada. He was a key player for Finland in 2006 World Cup qualifying, scoring seven goals, four of which came from free kicks. He shared the third position among the top scorers in the group, along with Adrian Mutu, but behind Jan Koller and Ruud van Nistelrooy who both scored nine goals.
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of 31 December 2020
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Other | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Jokerit | 2001 | Veikkausliiga | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| HJK | 2002 | Veikkausliiga | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 29 | 2 |
| 2003 | Veikkausliiga | 19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 22 | 4 | |
| 2004 | Veikkausliiga | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| Total | 60 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 67 | 10 | ||
| Lecce | 2004–05 | Serie A | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | Serie A | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 0 | |||
| Total | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||
| Saturn | 2006 | Russian Premier League | 28 | 7 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 34 | 8 | ||
| 2007 | Russian Premier League | 22 | 1 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 25 | 2 | |||
| 2008 | Russian Premier League | 19 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 21 | 1 | |||
| 2009 | Russian Premier League | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 3[d] | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 76 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 91 | 11 | ||
| Metalist Kharkiv | 2009–10 | Ukrainian Premier League | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 4[e] | 1 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2010–11 | Ukrainian Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 1 | ||
| Jaro (loan) | 2010 | Veikkausliiga | 16 | 7 | – | – | – | 16 | 7 | |||
| Kilmarnock (loan) | 2010–11 | Scottish Premier League | 31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2[f] | 0 | – | 34 | 2 | |
| Rubin Kazan | 2011–12 | Russian Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 2[e] | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Russian Premier League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
| Kairat Almaty | 2013 | Kazakhstan Premier League | 14 | 0 | – | – | – | 14 | 0 | |||
| Kilmarnock | 2013–14 | Scottish Premiership | 13 | 1 | – | – | – | 13 | 1 | |||
| 2014–15 | Scottish Premiership | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2[f] | 0 | – | 30 | 4 | ||
| Total | 40 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 62 | 14 | ||
| Jaro | 2015 | Veikkausliiga | 11 | 0 | – | – | – | 11 | 0 | |||
| SJK | 2016 | Veikkausliiga | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5[g] | 0 | – | 12 | 0 | |
| Career total | 320 | 36 | 23 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 370 | 40 | ||
- ^ Includes Suomen Cup, Coppa Italia, Russian Cup, Ukrainian Cup and Scottish Cup
- ^ a b Includes UEFA Cup
- ^ a b Includes UEFA Champions League
- ^ Includes UEFA Intertoto Cup
- ^ a b c Includes UEFA Europa League
- ^ a b Includes Scottish League Cup
- ^ Includes Finnish League Cup
International edit
- As of 17 June 2013[20]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 | 10 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 57 | 14 |
International goals edit
As of 15 November 2011.[21]
Win Draw Loss
Honours edit
Club edit
HJK Helsinki
Rubin Kazan
Individual edit
- Veikkausliiga Top assist provider: 2010[24]
- Scottish Premier League Player of the Month: November 2010[25]
References edit
- ^ "FIFA clears Russia switch for Finnish teenager Eremenko". 24 April 2018.
- ^ Алексей Еременко – игрок Металлиста!. metallist.kharkov.ua
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ [2](in Finnish)
- ^ "Kilmarnock win 2–0 and Eremenko Sent Off". BBC News. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
- ^ "Alexei Eremenko: I love life at Kilmarnock and would like to end my career at Rugby Park". The Daily Record. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Emilio Izaguirre wins Scotland's players' player prize". BBC Sport. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "English clubs join Celtic and Rangers in race to sign Alexei Eremenko". The Daily Record. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Terry Phillips (9 July 2011). "Bluebirds target Alexei Eremenko". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
- ^ "Money may deter Alexei Eremenko from Old Firm Switch". STV. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ . HELSINGIN SANOMAT. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Eremenko Kazakstaniin". Iltalehti. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ . fckairat.kz/ (in Russian). Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
- ^ "Eremenko Returns to Kilmarnock". expressi. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
- ^ . Kilmarnock F.C. 7 August 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ Crawford, Kenny (25 May 2015). "Kilmarnock: Alexei Eremenko exit likely after 'unacceptable' offer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ . Football Finland. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ . www.sjk2007.fi (in Finnish). SJK. 26 January 2016. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ . sjk2007.fi (in Finnish). SJK. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ^ (in Finnish) Alexei Eremenko jr. | Suomen Palloliitto 13 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Palloliitto.fi. Retrieved on 1 May 2015.
- ^ The national team on the Finnish Football Association’s website 9 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine (in Finnish)
- ^ a b Rakas jalkapallo: sata vuotta suomalaista jalkapalloa, p. 402–403. Edited by Yrjö Lautela and Göran Wallén; written by Yrjö Lautela ... [et al.]. Helsinki: Teos, 2007. ISBN 978-951-851-068-3 (hardcover).
- ^ Jalkapallokirja 2010, ('Football Yearbook') p. 50. Ed. by Heidi Soininen. Publication of the Football Association of Finland. Vol. 50. ISSN 0787-7188.
- ^ (in Finnish)
- ^ . Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
External links edit
- (in Russian). Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- Alexei Eremenko – UEFA competition record ()
- – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Alexei Eremenko at National-Football-Teams.com
- Alexei Eremenko at Soccerway
- Alexei Eremenko at Soccerbase
- (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2006.
- Finn, Iltalehti, 14 September 2006. (in Finnish)