Alan Yelizbarovich Dzagoev is a Russian international footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Rubin Kazan.
28 Facts About Alan Dzagoev
2.
Alan Dzagoev is regarded as a star in his native North Ossetia.
3.
Alan Dzagoev played football on the streets with his brother Gela right up to the second grade of elementary school, when their mother, a passionate football fan, brought them to the Terek Beslan youth team.
4.
In 2000, Alan Dzagoev moved to Vladikavkaz to play for a local youth team, Yunost.
5.
Alan Dzagoev describes Valery Gazzaev, an Ossetic footballing legend who later became his coach at CSKA Moscow, as his childhood hero, stating that Evgeni Aldonin and Frank Lampard were role models for him.
6.
In July 2012, Dzagoev married Zarema Abayeva, who is originally from North Ossetia-Alania's capital, Vladikavkaz.
7.
From January 2006 to December 2007, Alan Dzagoev played for Akademiya Tolyatti, formerly known as Krylia Sovetov-SOK, of the Russian Second Division.
8.
Alan Dzagoev appeared in 37 matches and scored six goals for the team.
9.
Alan Dzagoev signed for CSKA Moscow before the start of the 2008 Russian Premier League season.
10.
Alan Dzagoev was a starter when the team won the 2008 Russian Cup final.
11.
On 21 May 2016 in the last match of Premier League with Rubin Alan Dzagoev scored the winning goal and CSKA won another Russian Premier League title.
12.
On 21 June 2019, Alan Dzagoev signed a new two-year contract with CSKA Moscow, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2021.
13.
In May 2022, information appeared that, despite the current contract, Alan Dzagoev would leave the club at the end of the season.
14.
On 2 September 2022, Alan Dzagoev signed a contract until the end of the season with Rubin Kazan, reuniting with his former manager at CSKA, Leonid Slutsky.
15.
Alan Dzagoev made his debut as a half-time substitute, at the age of 18 years and 116 days, thus becoming the youngest outfield player ever to compete for Russia, and second youngest overall after goalkeeper and CSKA teammate Igor Akinfeev.
16.
Alan Dzagoev nearly earned the team a crucial away draw as he flicked the ball past Germany's goalkeeper Rene Adler, but hit the crossbar.
17.
Alan Dzagoev is a really clever player with the ability to make a killer pass and stretch the play.
18.
Alan Dzagoev was confirmed for the finalized squad for Euro 2012 on 25 May 2012.
19.
Alan Dzagoev appeared as a substitute in all three of the team's matches as Russia were eliminated at the group stage.
20.
Alan Dzagoev was included in Russia's squad for UEFA Euro 2016; however he withdrew due to injury on 22 May 2016.
21.
Alan Dzagoev was excluded from the nation's squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup exactly a year later, again with an injury.
22.
Alan Dzagoev featured in the opening match of the tournament against Saudi Arabia but was withdrawn through injury after just 24 minutes.
23.
Alan Dzagoev recovered from injury to come on as a substitute in extra time against Croatia in the quarterfinals.
24.
Alan Dzagoev converted his shot in the eventual penalty shoot-out, but Russia lost to Croatia in the end of it.
25.
Alan Dzagoev is a playmaker, who "enjoys playing behind the strikers".
26.
Alan Dzagoev has been recognised as the finest in the country in his position, being declared the best left-midfielder in 2013.
27.
Alan Dzagoev was named as Russia's "star man" by BBC Sport when they compiled their UEFA EURO 2012 team profiles.
28.
When CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky was asked of Dzagoev following a goal against Tottenham Hotspur in 2016, he opined: "it's obvious Alan Dzagoev is one of the top players in the Russian league", adding that it was "not surprising that scouts were watching him and it will not be surprising if he continues his career in one of the top British clubs".