Yury Zhirkov confirms retirement

Defender Yury Zhirkov officially retired from professional football.

“I think, everybody guesses, my professional career has ended”, said Zhirkov to RB Sport.

“What am I planning to do next? Nothing. To enjoy life”, added Yury.

39-year-old Zhirkov is five-time RPL champion, he won two titles as CSKA player (2005, 2006) and added three more in Zenit (2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21). Defender won Russian Cup and Super Cup six times each, he is also UEFA Cup winner with CSKA. In RPL Zhirkov represented CSKA, Anzhi, Dynamo Moscow, Zenit and Khimki, made 337 appearances in total scoring 25 goals.

Player was a part of Russia national team since 2005 to 2021. Zhirkov is EURO 2008 bronze medalist, also participated in 2012 and 2020 editions and in two World Cups (2014 and 2018). His 105 appearances is fourth result in the history of national team.