An experienced forward of considerable goalscoring pedigree, Aleksandr Kerzhakov played for Russia at tournaments in 2002 and 2004 but missed UEFA EURO 2008 so will be eager to return to the big stage again in Poland and Ukraine. He is now enjoying a productive second spell at FC Zenit St Petersburg, where he is universally revered.

• Kerzhakov joined Zenit aged 18 from the illustrious Smena football school in the city and made an immediate impression, scoring 14 league goals in 2002, 13 in 2003 and a league-best tally of 18 in 2004.

• Also proved his worth in Europe, scoring 13 goals in 21 UEFA Cup matches for Zenit in successive campaigns (2004/05 and 2005/06) and establishing an exciting attacking partnership with Andrey Arshavin.

• A youthful member of Russia's 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, he also participated at UEFA EURO 2004, appearing in one game at both tournaments; scored six goals in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008 but was not selected for the finals.

• Left Zenit for Sevilla FC in January 2007 and won two trophies in his first season, the UEFA Cup and Copa del Rey − though only a substitute in each final; returned to Russia a year later, joining FC Dinamo Moskva, for whom he scored 19 goals in two Premier-Liga campaigns.

• Returned to Zenit in January 2010 and enjoyed a superb homecoming season, top scoring with 13 goals as the Sine-Belo-Golubye won the Premier-Liga and Russian Cup.

• Made a successful return to the international scene under Dick Advocaat, scoring in back-to-back UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in October 2010.

• Better than ever in the marathon 44-game 2011/12 Premier-Liga season, scoring a career-best 23 league goals (second only to PFC CSKA Moskva's Seydou Doumbia) as Zenit retained the championship.

UEFA honours
UEFA Cup: winner 2007