Sergey Ryzhikov

Sergey Ryzhikov is a goalkeeper for FC Rubin Kazan. He was born on 19 September, 1980 in Shebekino, Russia. Sergey started playing football at Shebekino CYSS. At first Ryzhikov played as a midfielder, but soon followed the advice of his coach Alexei Polyakov and changed playing position to goalkeeper.

Ryzhikov’s professional football career started in 1999 at FC Salyut-Energia Belgorod. After 3 years of playing for Salyut Sergey has decided to try his luck elsewhere and joined famous Saturn Ramenskoye after successful trials. Sergey made his debut for Saturn against Amkar Perm in Russian Premier League on 3 July, 2004. However, after the debut match Ryzhikov returned to Saturn youth team.

The next stage of Ryzhikov’s career dawned at the end of 2004, when he was signed by Lokomotiv Moscow, and immediately loaned to Anzhi Makhachkala until the end of 2005. After returning to Lokomotiv, Ryzhikov had virtually no chance for match practice, being the club’s third goalkeeper. In 2007 Sergey was sent out on another loan to FC Tom Tomsk. As a result, the goalkeeper was forced to leave Lokomotiv.

In 2008 Sergey Ryzhikov joined Rubin Kazan and soon became a regular. Excellent and dedicated play of the new goalie made him Rubin fans’ favorite and a candidate for the national team. Ryzhikov is twofold bronze medalist and twofold Champion of Russian Premier League, winner of Russian Cup and Super Cup.

Sergey Ryzhikov was named among 33 best players of the Russian championship in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2011 he made an international debut for Russian national team in a friendly match against Qatar.

Sergey’s younger brother Andrei is also a goalkeeper for Russian Second Division Russian Second Division Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.