Roman Pavlyuchenko Bio Send To Friend  

Tottenham Hotspur swooped to sign Pavlyuchenko just before the summer transfer window close on September 1, 2008, in a £13,800,000 deal from Spartak Moscow.

The Russian international had been one of his country's stars at Euro 2008 although he would probably not have been in the team for the opening matches had Andrei Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak been available.

He spent his early career with Dynamo Stavropol and Rotor Volgograd before making his name with Spartak, who he had joined in 2003.

The tall, athletic striker plundered 11 goals in just 147 appearances for Spartak.

Pavlyuchenko had been criticised by Russia coach Guus Hiddink over his commitment and was ordered to improve if he wanted to make the Euro 2008 squad. The player himself had been crucial in getting Russia to the finals by coming off the bench to net both goals in Russia's 2-1 win at home to England in a qualifier.

A powerhouse in the air, he has a reputation for having a fiery temperament. 'People don't seem to realise you learn to control your emotions as you grow up, so it is wrong to say I still have some problems in this area,' argues Pavlyuchenko.

Pavlyuchenko scored three goals at Euro 2008 and was named in UEFA's Squad of the Tournament, although he did look as though he could be quite profligate in front of goal.

He moved to Tottenham having been the top scorer in the Russian league in both 2006 and 2007. He also gained Champions League experience in 2006/07.

The player had previously been scouted by Manchester United, Everton, Ajax and Celtic.