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Sergey PopovUkrainian footballer, defender
Date of Birth: 22.04.1971
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Football Beginnings
- Early Club Career
- Military Service and National Debut
- International Career
- Post-Playing Career
- Honours
- Ukrainian Cup (4): 1994/95, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Sergei Popov was born on November 12, 1968, in Hulyaipole, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine. However, his official passport records his birthplace as Makiivka, where he resided with his parents until the age of five. The family later moved to Donetsk, which became Popov's hometown. His father played football at an amateur level and worked as a driver throughout his career. Popov's mother was a teacher by profession.
At an early age, Popov joined the youth academy of Shakhtar Donetsk, where he was trained under coach Petro Ponomarenko.
Early Club Career
In 1988, Popov joined the Shakhtar Donetsk reserves. However, he was informed that he was not yet ready for the first team. His father subsequently arranged for him to work for a repair and construction crew at the airport, which allowed him to continue training.
In November 1988, Popov was contacted by Novateur Mariupol coach Mykola Golovko, who invited him to try out for his team. Popov accepted and spent the 1989 season with Novateur in the second division of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, the club finished in last place that season and disbanded.
Military Service and National Debut
Popov joined the Soviet Army in 1990 and "served" with the CSKA Kyiv football club. In the spring of 1991, he began playing for Niva Vinnytsia, where he scored seven goals in 24 matches.
In 1992, Popov finally made his long-awaited move to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he was pursued by coach Valeriy Yaremchenko. With Shakhtar, he became a multiple-time Ukrainian Cup winner and served as team captain.
International Career
Popov represented the Ukrainian national team from 1993 to 2005, making 54 appearances and scoring five goals.
Post-Playing Career
Popov retired from playing in 2006 after spending two seasons with Metalurh Zaporizhia. In April 2008, he returned to Shakhtar Donetsk as manager of the reserve team, Shakhtar-2.
Honours
As a Player:Ukrainian Premier League (1): 2001/02
Ukrainian Premier League Silver Medal (6): 1993/94, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04
Ukrainian Cup (4): 1994/95, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04
Ukrainian Cup Finalist (1): 2003Order of Merit III degree (2011)
Personal Life
Sergei Popov is married to Oksana and has two daughters, Ekaterina and Maria.
