Yuriy Nikiforov
Yuri Valeryevich Nikiforov (alternate spelling Valeriovych; Russian: Юрий Валерьевич Никифоров, Ukrainian: Юрій Валерійович Никифоров, born 16 September 1970) is a retired Ukrainian-Russian footballer who played mainly as a central defender.
Club career
Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Soviet Union, Nikiforov started playing professionally with hometown's FC Chornomorets. After one year with FC Dynamo Kyiv solely appearing for the reserve side, he returned to his first club, playing in the inaugural edition of the Ukrainian Premier League.
In early 1993, Nikiforov moved to Russia with FC Spartak Moscow, being an instrumental defensive unit as the capital side won three out of four league titles, with the player also netting regularly. His first abroad experience came with Sporting de Gijón, to where he arrived at the same time as former compatriot Dmitri Cheryshev (he would also share team with another Russian while in Asturias, Igor Lediakhov).
After Gijón's relegation from La Liga, Nikiforov played five years in Holland, starting with PSV Eindhoven, which he helped to consecutive Eredivisie accolades. In 2002–03, the 32-year old played with lowly RKC Waalwijk, with the club finishing in a comfortable ninth place. He finished his career in Japan, after one year with Urawa Red Diamonds.
International career
Nikiforov played four times for the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1992, as the national team that rose from the ashes of the Soviet Union took part in that year's UEFA European Football Championship - he did not make the squad for the finals. His debut came on January 25, in a 1–0 friendly with the United States, in Miami.
After briefly representing Ukraine, also in that year, Nikiforov switched to Russia, with which he would participate in two FIFA World Cups - 1994 and 2002 - as well as UEFA Euro 1996 (eight matches in total, but with the national side always exiting in the group stage).
In 2009, Nikiforov was part of the Russian squad that won the Legends Cup.
Statistics
Club
International
| Russia national team |
| Year |
Apps |
Goals |
| 1993 |
2 |
0 |
| 1994 |
9 |
2 |
| 1995 |
8 |
1 |
| 1996 |
13 |
3 |
| 1997 |
4 |
0 |
| 1998 |
4 |
0 |
| 1999 |
0 |
0 |
| 2000 |
0 |
0 |
| 2001 |
7 |
0 |
| 2002 |
8 |
0 |
| Total |
55 |
6 |
Honours
Club
Country
Personal
Nikiforov's older brother, Oleksandr, also played professional football, also representing Chornomorets (four different spells), and coinciding with Yuri from 1989–90.
External links
| Persondata |
| Name |
Nikiforov, Yuriy |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Footballer |
| Date of birth |
16 September 1970 |
| Place of birth |
Odessa, Soviet Union |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|