Zhirkov latest Russian at Chelsea

ONE PLAYER definitely going to Chelsea is CSKA Moscow’s Yuri Zhirkov, who yesterday signed a three-year contract.

ONE PLAYER definitely going to Chelsea is CSKA Moscow’s Yuri Zhirkov, who yesterday signed a three-year contract.

The 25-year-old Russia left-back completed the deal at the club’s Cobham training ground yesterday.

Although Chelsea have not revealed the fee, it is understood to be around €20.85 million.The Russian has already met some of the players and is well aware of the the club’s links with his country.

Zhirkov had a five-year stint with CSKA Moscow where he cemented his place as a wide man with a deft left foot, lightning pace and exceptional dribbling ability – scoring 15 goals in 139 appearances for the club.

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He can play left-back but is comfortable in any position on that wing and it was as a more attacking midfielder that he won the Uefa Cup in 2005 after scoring during a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the final.

Zhirkov made his Russia debut in 2005 against Italy and has since made 31 appearances for his country – most which have come under Chelsea’s former interim manager Guus Hiddink.

He was named in the Euro 2008 ‘Team of the Tournament’ after an impressive contribution as a wing-back when Russia surprised by making the semi-finals.