Alexei Smertin is a Russian midfielder born on May 1, 1975 in Barnaul. He was included into the Russia national football team in 1998. He has been capped over 50 times for Russia, and his international appearances include the 2002 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup and Euro 2004. Alexei Smertin was vested with the captaincy of the national football team in June 2004.
Alexei Smertin kick started his career with Russian clubs such as Dinamo Barnaul, Zarya Leninsk-Kuznetski, and Uralan Elista F.C. He had a major breakthrough in his career when he moved to Lokomotiv Moscow for the 1999-2000.season. He played 39 games there scoring 7 times, and was named the Russian Footballer of the Year in 1999. Alexei Smertin was snapped up by French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux, where he spent three seasons, and went on to be voted as the best defensive midfielder in the French league.
Alexei Smertin was bought by Chelsea F.C., a professional English football club, from Girondins Bordeaux for £3.45m. He was loaned out to Portsmouth F.C., during 2003-04, where he put up an impressive performance at the 1-0 win over Manchester United. He returned back to Chelsea and was at the victory stand when Chelsea lifted the English Premier League Champions title in 2004-05. In 2005-06, he was again sent on a loan to Charlton Athletic F.C., where he played some impressive games. He was transferred to Dynamo Moscow F.C., for a fee of £1m in January 2006 and played 22 games for it. Alexei Smertin signed a two and a half year deal with Fulham F.C. for a place in the team until the summer of 2009. Known for his versatility, Alexei Smertin is capable of playing as both a defender and also as a midfielder.
