Dmitri Kirichenko is a former Russian footballer known for his role as a striker.
He is currently the manager of Russian Premier League club Rostov.
Kirichenko became the top scorer in the Russian Premier League in 2002 while playing for CSKA Moscow.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Dmitri Sergeyevich Kirichenko is a Russian footballer born in Russia, who began his career in the early 1990s. He played for smaller clubs such as FC Lokomotiv-KMV Mineralnye Vody and FC Iskra Novoaleksandrovsk before making a name for himself at FC Taganrog from 1996 to 1997. His impressive performances led him to join FC Rostov in 1998, where he quickly became recognized as one of the most promising strikers in Russian football.
Rise to Prominence
In 2002, Kirichenko signed with PFC CSKA Moscow, where he achieved significant success, becoming the league's top scorer in his first season and winning the Russian Premier League twice, along with the Russian Cup. After a stint at FC Moscow, where he again topped the scoring charts, he moved to FC Leon Saturn from 2007 to 2010. Notably, in 2008, he scored four goals in a single match during the UEFA Intertoto Cup, showcasing his striking prowess on an international stage.
International Career
Kirichenko also represented the Russian national team, notably scoring the fastest goal in European Championship history at Euro 2004 against Greece, a record that stood until 2024. His international experience further solidified his reputation as a skilled forward.
Managerial Career
After retiring from playing, Kirichenko transitioned into coaching. He served as the caretaker manager for FC Rostov in 2016 and later for FC Ufa in 2018. In 2026, he returned to manage Rostov, continuing his legacy in Russian football both on and off the pitch.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Kirichenko started his career playing for small clubs such as Lokomotiv Mineralnye Vody, Iskra Novoaleksandrovsk and Torpedo Taganrog. In 1998, he joined Rostselmash, following impressive performance for Taganrog club during the previous year. He became one of the most promising Russian strikers during the next years, and joined CSKA Moscow in 2002. With the army men Kirichenko managed to become the league top scorer in 2002 (along with his teammate Rolan Gusev), won the Russian Premier League twice, and got the Russian Cup. In 2005, he left for FC Moscow. Playing for the new team, he repeated his success, becoming the top scorer again. He played for Saturn from 2007 to 2010. In 2008 in the first match of his team in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, in the victory 7–0, he scored 4 goals. He did not play in the second match of that round. At the next round he scored a goal at the first match in a 1–0 victory against 2007 German champions VfB Stuttgart. With 5 goals at total he became the top scorer of the UEFA Intertoto Cup 2008. In 2011, after Saturn were dissolved due to financial problems, Kirichenko returned to Rostov, the club where he had made a name for himself back in the 1990s.
He played for his country at Euro 2004, scoring in the second minute against Greece as Russia defeated the eventual European champions 2–1 in a consolation match as Russia were already eliminated. The goal stood as the fastest goal ever in a European Championship until Nedim Bajrami of Albania scored against Italy in 23 seconds at Euro 2024.
He was appointed the caretaker manager of Rostov on 6 August 2016 following the resignation of Kurban Berdyev. His caretaking spell ended on 9 September 2016. He was appointed the caretaker manager of Ufa on 7 November 2018. Ufa won their first game under his management against Spartak Moscow, but in the next 6 games the club only achieved 2 draws and 4 losses, and on 27 March 2019 Kirichenko left Ufa by mutual consent. On 26 September 2026, Kirichenko returned to Rostov as a manager.
- Club
- FC Taganrog (1996–1997)
- Club
- FC Lokomotiv-KMV Mineralnye Vody (1994–1994)
- Club
- FC Rostov (1998–2001)
- Club
- FC Iskra Novoaleksandrovsk (1995–1995)
- Club
- PFC CSKA Moscow (2002–2004)
- Club
- FC Moscow (2005–2006)
- Club
- FC Leon Saturn (2007–2010)
- Club
- FC Rostov (2011–2013)
- Club
- FC Mordovia Saransk (2013–2013)
- Club
- Russia men's national football team (2003–2006)
- Club
- FC Moscow (2006–2007)
- National team
- Russia
Clubs
- FC Lokomotiv-KMV Mineralnye Vody1994–1994
- FC Iskra Novoaleksandrovsk1995–1995
- FC Taganrog1996–1997
- FC Rostov1998–2001
- PFC CSKA Moscow2002–2004
- Russia men's national football team2003–2006
- FC Moscow2005–2006
- FC Moscow2006–2007
- FC Leon Saturn2007–2010
- FC Rostov2011–2013
- FC Mordovia Saransk2013–2013
Played together with
Aaron Samuel OlanarePFC CSKA Moscow · 2016
Abbosbek FayzullaevPFC CSKA Moscow · 2023–2025- Abdelillah BaguiFC Rostov · 2005–2006
Abel HernándezPFC CSKA Moscow · 2018–2019- Adrean BasteeaFC Leon Saturn · 2004–2004
- Adrian SosnovschiFC Leon Saturn · 1999–2003
- Adriano Padilha NascimentoFC Leon Saturn · 2006–2007
Ahmed MusaPFC CSKA Moscow · 2012–2016- Ahmed MusaPFC CSKA Moscow · 2018–2018
- Aivars DrupassPFC CSKA Moscow · 1985–1985
- Akaki DevadzeFC Rostov · 1995–1996
Alan DzagoevPFC CSKA Moscow · 2008–2022
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Dmitri Sergeyevich Kirichenko is a Russian football coach and a former player who played as a striker. He is the manger of Russian Premier League club Rostov.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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