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Roman Eremenko
Roman Eremenko
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Roman Alekseyevich Eremenko (Russian: Роман Алексеевич Ерёменко; born 19 March 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Veikkausliiga club IF Gnistan.[1] Born in Russia, he represents Finland at international level.

Key Information

Eremenko is best known for his time at Dynamo Kyiv, winning the Ukrainian Premier League title in 2009, and playing in the Champions League and Europa League. He served a two-year ban for cocaine use from October 2016 to October 2018.

Prior to his ban, Eremenko also played regularly for the Finland national team.[2] He made his international debut in June 2007 at the age of 20, having moved to Finland from Russia as a child.

Early career

[edit]

Eremenko started to play football in a youth sector of FF Jaro in Pietarsaari, Finland, in 1994. He would also play in the youth sectors of Tromsø IL in Norway and HJK Helsinki, while his father Alexei Eremenko Sr. was playing professionally for the first teams, before they returned to Pietarsaari and Jaro in 2003.

Club career

[edit]

Jaro

[edit]

Eremenko's career on senior level started when he made his Veikkausliiga debut for Jaro in 2004 at the age of 17, when head coach Hannu Touru used him as a substitute in a match against MYPA on 29 June 2004. In that match Eremenko appeared on the pitch at the same time with his father, who played for the whole match as a midfielder. Eremenko scored his first goal on senior level on 18 September 2004 in a match against FC Lahti. He made six appearances for Jaro in his first season. During season 2004 he was also loaned to Kakkonen club Jakobstads BK and to Finnish First Division club GBK Kokkola.[3] He made his break through in Jaro during season 2005 when he became a regular in the starting eleven. He gained 13 caps and was in the starting line-up 10 times. In those 13 matches he scored two goals.

Udinese

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In the summer of 2005, Eremenko signed a five-year deal with Udinese for a transfer fee of €180,000.[4] He made his Serie A debut on the first day of the 2006–07 season against Messina. He became the fourth Finnish footballer after Mika Aaltonen, Mika Lehkosuo and his brother Alexei Eremenko Jr to make an appearance in a Serie A match.[5] He was loaned to A.C. Siena on 31 January 2007, where he played 11 games. During the summer of 2007, he returned to Udinese.

In October 2007, Eremenko, Andrea Dossena, Cristián Zapata, and Simone Pepe were awarded new contracts until June 2012.[6]

Dynamo Kyiv

[edit]
Eremenko with Dynamo Kyiv in 2009
Eremenko with Andriy Shevchenko playing for Dynamo Kyiv in 2010

In August 2008, he was loaned to FC Dynamo Kyiv, until 31 May 2009. On 22 May 2009, he signed permanently with Dynamo Kyiv until 2014, for a €5 million fee. During his three years at Dynamo, Eremenko established himself as one of the leaders of the team.

Eremenko debuted in the Champions League on 17 September 2008, in a home game against Arsenal FC. That week, he also scored his first goal in the Ukrainian Premier League, netting a pass from Tiberiu Ghioane on the 8th minute of a game against Chornomorets Odesa. Eremenko scored his first goal in the Champions League on 10 December 2008 on Fenerbahçe.

During the 2009–10 season, he took part in a total of 35 official matches for Dynamo, 26 of which were in the Ukrainian championship, and scored 1 goal.

In the 2010–11 season, besides continuing his successful performance for Dynamo domestically, Eremenko became the top assistant of the Europa League.

After a total of three years of playing for Dynamo, Eremenko played in a total of 127 official games, and scored seven goals. He also won the 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League, and the Ukrainian Super Cups in 2009 and 2011.

Rubin Kazan

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In the last stages of the summer transfer window in 2011, Eremenko signed with Russian club Rubin Kazan for a reported fee of €13 million, which is the highest transfer fee ever paid for a Finnish player. His older brother Alexei also signed a contract with Rubin Kazan in August 2011.[7] On 26 November, Roman scored his first goal for Rubin, in a 2–0 home victory over Dynamo Moscow.

On 9 May 2012, he scored the game's only goal in the Russian Cup final.

CSKA Moscow

[edit]
Eremenko with CSKA Moscow in 2014

After leaving Rubin Kazan in the summer of 2014, Eremenko signed a four-year contract with PFC CSKA Moscow on 25 August 2014, for a €6 million transfer fee.[8] He was selected as the Best Player of October and December 2014 and March 2015 in the Russian Football Premier League.[9][10][11] He won the Russian Football Premier League MVP of the season 2014–15 award.[12]

On 6 October 2016, Finland announced that Eremenko had been handed a 30-day ban from football by UEFA.[13] On 18 November 2016, UEFA announced that Roman had been handed a two-year ban from UEFA competitions due to testing positive for cocaine.[14] In December 2016, FIFA extended Eremenko's ban to all football competitions.[15] His appeal was rejected by UEFA and the ban was upheld on 6 March 2017.[16]

Spartak Moscow

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On 10 August 2018, Eremenko signed with Spartak Moscow, joining his younger brother Sergei at the team. His father Alexei Eremenko Sr. also played for Spartak.[17] His disqualification expired on 6 October 2018 and he made his debut on 7 October against Yenisey Krasnoyarsk. Spartak released him from his contract on 8 January 2019.[18]

Eremenko with Spartak Moscow in 2018

Rostov

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On 18 January 2019, Rostov announced the signing of Eremenko on a 2.5-year contract.[19] Rostov (called FC Rostselmash at the time) was the first club of Roman's father, Alexei Eremenko Sr. In his third game for Rostov on 16 March 2019, he scored twice in the last 10 minutes to give his club a 2–0 away victory over Rubin Kazan.[20]

On 14 June 2019, Rostov announced that Eremenko had extended his contract with the club for four years.[21] On 23 February 2021, Eremenko left Rostov by mutual consent, partly due to COVID-19 pandemic.[22]

HIFK

[edit]

After a one-and-a-half-year hiatus from football, on 28 July 2022, Eremenko returned to Finnish football and joined Veikkausliiga club HIFK for the rest of the 2022 season, and reunited with the former national team head coach Mixu Paatelainen.[23]

Honka

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On 4 May 2023, Eremenko signed with Honka for the 2023 Veikkausliiga season.[24] He helped the club to reach the 2023 Finnish Cup final.

Gnistan

[edit]

On 1 May 2023, Eremenko signed with newly promoted Gnistan for their maiden season in top-tier Veikkausliiga.[1] Eremenko made 19 appearances and scored two goals, and helped the team to finish 8th in the league and renew their league spot for the 2025.[25] In January 2025, Eremenko was set to sign with Scottish club St Johnstone, coached by Simo Valakari, but was denied a work permit and the deal collapsed.[26] Later in February he renewed his contract with Gnistan.[27]

International career

[edit]
Eremenko playing for the Finland national team in 2009

Eremenko made his international debut in the Finland national team at Helsinki Olympic Stadium on 6 June 2007 in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualification match against Belgium when Roy Hodgson chose him to the starting line up. The game was interrupted for six minutes after a Eurasian eagle-owl intruded the playing pitch. This incident earned the Finland team their current nickname, The Eagle Owls.[28] Eremenko remained as a regular member for Finland until his doping ban in 2016 and he was a key player in Finland's qualification campaigns for 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2012, 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016. He scored his first goal for Finland from penalty spot on 3 March 2010 in a friendly match against Malta.

On 30 May 2025, Eremenko was called-up to the Finland national team, after a nine-year absence, for the World Cup qualifying matches against Netherlands and Poland.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

Roman Eremenko is married to Marika Eremenko and has three children.[30] Eremenko moved to Finland with his family at the age of three when his father, former FC Dynamo Moscow and FC Spartak Moscow player Alexei Eremenko Sr., came to play in Finland with FF Jaro. He was granted Finnish citizenship in 2003, but still holds a Russian passport as well, Eremenko is the younger brother of Alexei Eremenko Jr and the older brother of Sergei Eremenko.[31] His father took over as manager in Jaro in August 2009.

In 2016, he was suspended for two years because of doping after failing a doping test. He tested positive for cocaine based on a sample done by UEFA.[32] In late 2023, Eremenko admitted in Finnish media that he was addicted to cocaine at the time when he got caught in 2016.[33][34]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 1 May 2025[35][36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Jaro 2004 Veikkausliiga 6 1 0 0 6 1
2005 Veikkausliiga 13 2 0 0 13 2
Total 19 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 3
GBK (loan) 2004 Ykkönen 3 0 0 0 3 0
Udinese 2005–06 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006–07 Serie A 6 0 3 0 9 0
2007–08 Serie A 7 0 4 0 11 0
Total 13 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
Siena (loan) 2006–07 Serie A 11 0 0 0 11 0
Dynamo Kyiv (loan) 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League 19 1 0 0 7[b] 1 26 2
Dynamo Kyiv 2009–10 Ukrainian Premier League 26 1 3 0 6[c] 0 1[d] 0 36 1
2010–11 Ukrainian Premier League 26 3 3 0 16[e] 1 45 4
2011–12 Ukrainian Premier League 6 0 1 0 4[e] 0 1[d] 0 12 0
Total 58 4 7 0 26 1 2 0 93 5
Rubin Kazan 2011–12 Russian Premier League 21 2 4 1 0 0 25 3
2012–13 Russian Premier League 25 6 2 0 10[f] 0 1[g] 0 37 6
2013–14 Russian Premier League 27 3 1 0 11[f] 5 39 8
Total 73 11 7 1 22 5 1 0 103 17
CSKA Moscow 2014–15 Russian Premier League 25 13 2 0 6[c] 0 33 13
2015–16 Russian Premier League 25 3 1 0 7[c] 0 33 3
2016–17 Russian Premier League 9 3 1 0 2[c] 1 1[g] 0 11 4
Total 59 19 4 0 15 1 1 0 78 20
Spartak Moscow 2018–19 Russian Premier League 4 0 1 0 2[f] 0 7 0
Rostov 2018–19 Russian Premier League 9 3 2 1 11 4
2019–20 Russian Premier League 19 5 0 0 19 5
2020–21 Russian Premier League 16 1 1 0 1[f] 0 18 1
Total 44 9 3 1 1 0 0 0 48 10
HIFK 2022 Veikkausliiga 11 2 1 0 0 0 12 2
Honka 2023 Veikkausliiga 21 3 5 1 2[h] 0 0 0 28 4
Gnistan 2024 Veikkausliiga 19 2 0 0 0 0 19 2
2025 Veikkausliiga 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1
Total 23 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 3
Career total 358 55 35 3 75 8 4 0 466 63
  1. ^ Includes Suomen Cup, Coppa Italia, Ukrainian Cup and Russian Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Ukrainian Super Cup
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Russian Super Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

[edit]
As of 5 September 2016[37][36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland 2007 6 0
2008 8 0
2009 10 0
2010 8 1
2011 9 0
2012 6 1
2013 14 1
2014 8 2
2015 3 0
2016 5 0
Total 73 5
As of 7 September 2014[38][36]
Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Eremenko goal.
List of international goals scored by Roman Eremenko
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 3 March 2010 Ta'Qali, Malta  Malta 1–1 2–1 Friendly
2 26 May 2012 Salzburg, Austria  Turkey 1–0 3–2 Friendly
3 10 September 2013 Tbilisi, Georgia  Georgia 1–0 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 5 March 2014 Győr, Hungary  Hungary 2–1 2–1 Friendly
5 7 September 2014 Thorshavn, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 3–1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying

Honours

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Dynamo Kyiv

Rubin Kazan

CSKA Moscow

Honka

Individual

  • Finnish Football Association Player of the Year: 2011,[39] 2014
  • Finnish Sports' Journalists Player of the Year: 2011,[40] 2014, 2015
  • UEFA Europa League most assists leading to a goal in tournament phase: 2010–11[41]
  • Russian League MVP of the season: 2014–15
  • Russian Premier League Player of the Month: October 2014, December 2014, March 2015[42]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Roman Eremenko (born 19 March 1987) is a Russian-born Finnish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club . Standing at 1.86 meters tall and favoring his right foot, Eremenko has built a career spanning multiple European leagues, known for his vision, passing, and set-piece ability. Born in , , he holds Finnish citizenship through his family and has represented the national team, earning 73 caps and scoring 5 goals prior to a nine-year international hiatus, with a recall to the squad in May 2025 for qualifiers. Eremenko began his professional career in Finland with FF Jaro in 2004 before moving to Italy's Udinese in 2005, where he made his Serie A debut. His breakthrough came at Dynamo Kyiv from 2009 to 2011, where he contributed to the 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League title and two Ukrainian Super Cup wins in 2009 and 2011, while also featuring in UEFA Champions League and Europa League campaigns. Subsequent moves to Rubin Kazan (2011–2014) yielded a Russian Cup victory in 2012 and a Russian Super Cup in 2012, followed by a successful stint at CSKA Moscow (2014–2016), where he won the Russian Premier League in 2016 and earned a reputation as one of the league's top midfielders. Later career stops included Spartak Moscow, FC Rostov, HIFK, and FC Honka, before joining IF Gnistan in 2024. Throughout his club career, Eremenko has amassed over 400 appearances and more than 40 league goals, with notable performances in European competitions, including a goal in a 2008 Champions League group stage match for Dynamo Kyiv. His international career for , starting in 2007, included key contributions during qualification campaigns for major tournaments, though he faced setbacks including a 2016 doping suspension that sidelined him for two years. As of November 2025, at age 38, Eremenko continues to play actively in Finland's top flight, remaining a respected figure in Finnish football.

Early life and career beginnings

Early life

Roman Eremenko was born on 19 March 1987 in , , to Russian parents Aleksei Eremenko Sr., a professional footballer, and his wife. In 1990, at the age of three, Eremenko moved with his family to when his father signed with OLS , before the family relocated to the town of in 1991 when he joined . His father's career as a in the Finnish Veikkausliiga provided an early environment steeped in professional football. Growing up in Jakobstad, Eremenko was influenced by his family's involvement in the sport, often watching his father's matches and engaging in informal football play with local children. This early exposure fostered his passion for the game before he began structured training. In 2003, he acquired Finnish citizenship while retaining his .

Youth career

Roman Eremenko began his youth career at the age of seven in 1994, joining the youth setup in Pietarsaari, , following in the footsteps of his father, Alexei Eremenko Sr., who was then playing professionally for the club's senior team. The family had relocated from to in 1990, allowing the young player to immerse himself in organized football from an early age under his father's influence. In 1998, during his father's brief loan spell at Tromsø IL in , Eremenko spent time with the club's , including the U15 team, where he and his older brother Alexei Jr. excelled in local youth tournaments, dominating their age groups with strong performances as . This stint provided early exposure to competitive play abroad while reinforcing the family's footballing legacy. By 1999, following the family's move to as his father transferred to HJK Helsinki, Eremenko joined HJK's renowned youth academy, where he honed his skills as an attacking , focusing on vision, passing, and two-footed play through dedicated training. He continued developing at the club until 2003, often training alongside his brother, which helped sharpen his technical abilities and game intelligence. In 2003, Eremenko had a short period with the youth team in before returning to FF Jaro's youth ranks for the 2003–2004 season, further solidifying his progression toward senior football. During his time at HJK, he attracted early scouting interest from European clubs, including Udinese, who monitored his potential as a creative .

Professional club career

FF Jaro (2004–2005)

Roman Eremenko made his senior debut for his boyhood club in the Finnish on 29 June 2004, at the age of 17, entering as a substitute against . Less than a month later, on 19 July 2004, he scored his first professional goal in a match against MyPa. During the 2004 season, Eremenko featured in 10 appearances and netted 1 goal, building experience in the top flight. In , he established himself more prominently, making 21 appearances and scoring 5 goals as an . His contributions helped secure mid-table positions in the , finishing 11th in both 2004 and with 26 points each season. Eremenko's promising displays as a creative drew interest from abroad, culminating in his transfer to Italian club Udinese in the summer of .

Udinese and loans (2005–2009)

In July 2005, at the age of 18, Roman Eremenko transferred from to Italian club Udinese for a fee of €300,000, signing a five-year contract. Initially, he featured primarily for Udinese's Primavera youth team to continue his development, making limited first-team appearances during his early tenure. Over the course of his time under contract with Udinese from 2005 to 2009, Eremenko accumulated 13 appearances in without scoring a goal, gradually adapting to the demands of elite European football. To gain more senior playing time, Eremenko was loaned to fellow side in January 2007 for the second half of the 2006–07 season. During this spell, he made 11 league appearances, contributing to Siena's mid-table finish while honing his skills in a competitive environment. The loan ended in June 2007, after which he returned to Udinese, though opportunities remained sporadic amid the club's competitive midfield options. In August 2008, seeking further experience in a new , Eremenko joined club on a one-year from Udinese, with an option for a permanent transfer. At , he quickly integrated, making 19 league appearances and scoring 1 goal during the 2008–09 season, including notable contributions in group stage matches such as a goal in a 1–1 draw against . His composed playmaking and vision in midfield impressed observers, showcasing the technical promise he had displayed in and . Eremenko's successful loan stint at Dynamo Kyiv generated strong interest from Ukrainian clubs, highlighting his growing reputation as a versatile attacking capable of performing at a high level in European competitions. This period marked a pivotal transition in his career, bridging his early development in with opportunities in Eastern European football.

FC Dynamo Kyiv (2009–2011)

Roman Eremenko joined on a permanent basis in July 2009, signing a five-year contract from Udinese for a reported fee of €5 million, following an initial one-year loan spell that began in August 2008. This move solidified his position in the , where he had already made his debut on 31 August 2008 in a 1–0 victory over Metalurh Donetsk. Drawing on his prior experience in with Udinese, Eremenko quickly adapted to Dynamo's high-pressing style, contributing to the team's attacking dynamics during a period marked by domestic dominance and European campaigns. During the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, Eremenko featured prominently, making 81 appearances and scoring 5 goals across all competitions. He played a key role in securing the 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League title—achieved after joining mid-season on loan—and added the 2009 Ukrainian Super Cup to his honors, starting in the 2–1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. In European competition, Eremenko shone in the UEFA Champions League group stages for both 2009–10 and 2010–11, appearing in 12 matches and scoring once, including a notable assist in a 2–1 home win against Inter Milan in November 2009. His vision and precise passing were instrumental in Dynamo's progression, helping the team advance from the group stage in 2009–10 before elimination in the round of 16. Eremenko's technical ability complemented Dynamo's forward line, where he formed effective partnerships with emerging talents like , providing creative support in midfield to unlock defenses. In the 2010–11 season, he contributed to another triumph with a 4–1 victory over Tavriya after a 1–1 draw, while also featuring in 45 matches overall, scoring 4 goals. His consistent performances underscored Dynamo's status as Ukraine's premier club, blending Finnish precision with the intensity of Eastern European football.

FC Rubin Kazan (2011–2014)

Roman Eremenko transferred to from on 31 August 2011 for a reported fee of €12.9 million, marking his return to Russian football after gaining experience in Eastern European leagues. He quickly integrated into the squad under manager Kurban Berdyev, contributing to the team's competitive efforts in the and domestic cups during his three-year stint. In the 2011–12 season, Eremenko played a pivotal role in 's campaign, helping the club secure a sixth-place finish in the league and qualification for the . His contributions extended to the Russian Cup, where he scored the decisive goal in the final against on 9 May 2012, securing a 1–0 victory and Rubin's first-ever Russian Cup title. The curling shot from distance in the 78th minute proved instrumental, as Rubin dominated possession and earned a European spot through the triumph. Over the subsequent seasons, Eremenko maintained consistency, aiding to fifth place in 2012–13 and another strong mid-table position in 2013–14, both securing berths. In total, he made 100 appearances and scored 17 goals across all competitions during his time at the club, establishing himself as a key attacking known for his vision and set-piece ability. His performances in 2011 earned him the Finnish Football Association Player of the Year award, recognizing his impact both at club and international levels.

PFC CSKA Moscow (2014–2016)

Eremenko transferred to from on 25 August 2014, signing a four-year contract for a reported fee of €5.9 million. The move came after he had established consistency in the during his time at Rubin, where he adapted to the domestic style following his Ukrainian stint. He made his debut and scored his first goal for CSKA on 31 August 2014, in a 6–0 league victory over , curling a right-footed effort into the net and showcasing his vision and passing from midfield. During the 2014–15 season, Eremenko emerged as a key creative force for CSKA, recording 13 goals and 4 assists in 25 appearances as the team finished second, just one point behind champions . His dynamic play, including long-range strikes and precise set-piece delivery, earned him the MVP award for the season, recognizing his impact on both scoring and team orchestration. Eremenko's contributions extended to the group stage, where CSKA competed against strong European sides, though they exited in the group phase. In the 2015–16 campaign, Eremenko played a pivotal role in CSKA's successful title defense, helping secure the championship with 3 goals and 3 assists across 25 league outings. The team clinched the title with a record of 20 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, finishing 8 points ahead of runners-up Zenit. Eremenko's midfield partnership with players like Bibras Natcho and provided balance, enabling CSKA to dominate domestically while advancing to the round of 16 in the after dropping from the Champions League group stage; notable knockout victories included progression past in the round of 32 via a 2–1 aggregate score.

Doping suspension (2016–2018)

Roman Eremenko tested positive for metabolites in a doping control conducted by following CSKA Moscow's group stage match against on 14 September 2016. The substance is classified as a non-specified under the code, prohibited in-competition. imposed a provisional suspension on Eremenko on 6 October 2016, initially for 30 days, which was later extended pending the full investigation. subsequently extended the provisional measures worldwide in accordance with its anti-doping regulations. On 18 November 2016, 's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body issued a full two-year ban on Eremenko for breaching the Anti-Doping Regulations, effective from the date of his provisional suspension and set to expire on 6 October 2018. Eremenko appealed the decision to the (CAS), arguing the sanction was disproportionate, but the panel dismissed the appeal on 21 July 2017, upholding the full period of ineligibility. The ban prevented Eremenko from participating in any football-related activities, including matches, training with clubs, and international duty, significantly interrupting his career at its peak following a strong tenure at . The suspension led to the termination of Eremenko's contract with in June 2017, after which he was unable to secure a competitive playing role during the ban period. During the hiatus, Eremenko trained independently to maintain fitness, though he was restricted from organized club sessions until approximately two months before the ban's end, as per standard anti-doping protocols. The enforced absence marked a major setback for the high-profile , who had been a key contributor to 's title in the 2015–16 season.

FC Spartak Moscow (2018)

On 10 August 2018, Roman Eremenko signed a full-term contract with as a , marking his return to competitive football structures following his doping suspension. The move reunited him with his Sergei, who was already at the club, and echoed his Alexei Eremenko Sr.'s history with Spartak in the 1980s. Due to the ongoing effects of his 2016 suspension, which prohibited participation until 6 2018, Eremenko could not make any competitive appearances or fully integrate into during the initial months of his tenure. This inactive phase limited his role to non-playing activities, with the club viewing the signing as a preparatory step for his potential post-ban contribution. The period surrounding his signing was characterized by widespread speculation about Eremenko's future after the ban lifted, fueled by interest from multiple teams seeking to bolster their midfield options. Eremenko's contract with Spartak was terminated by mutual consent on 8 January 2019 after minimal overall involvement, allowing him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

FC Rostov (2019–2021)

Eremenko signed with on 17 January 2019, agreeing to a 1.5-year contract after terminating his deal with Spartak Moscow. This move marked his return to competitive football following a doping suspension that had sidelined him since 2016. He made his debut for the club on 10 2019, coming on as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Arsenal Tula. Eremenko quickly adapted, scoring his first goals post-suspension on 16 2019 with a brace in a 2–0 victory over Rubin . Later that year, on 28 2019, he netted again in a 2–1 win against Arsenal Tula to open the 2019–20 season. Across the 2019–2021 period, Eremenko featured in 44 matches for Rostov in all competitions, scoring 9 goals and providing 6 assists, while serving as a key veteran in the squad. His contributions extended to the qualifiers, where he helped the team progress past Spartak Trnava and into the group stage after defeating . Rostov achieved mid-table finishes in the during this time, placing ninth in 2018–19, fifth in 2019–20, and tenth in 2020–21. On 14 June 2019, shortly after his strong start, Eremenko extended his contract with Rostov until 2023, underscoring his importance to the team's midfield dynamics. However, in February 2021, amid club restructuring and personal family considerations, the contract was mutually terminated, allowing him to depart as a .

HIFK (2022)

After a period without a club following his departure from FC Rostov, Roman Eremenko signed with HIFK on 28 July 2022, agreeing to a contract for the remainder of the Veikkausliiga season. This move marked his return to Finnish football, where he had begun his professional career with FF Jaro nearly two decades earlier. Eremenko made his Veikkausliiga debut for HIFK on 1 August 2022 in a 0–3 home loss to Inter Turku, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute. Over the course of the season, he appeared in 11 league matches, starting 10 and accumulating 925 minutes on the pitch, while scoring 2 goals—one against AC Oulu on 18 September and another in a 2–4 defeat to Ilves on 28 September. As an experienced international with over 70 caps for and stints at top European clubs, Eremenko served as a leader in HIFK's midfield, providing creativity and guidance to a young squad amid their fight against relegation. Despite his contributions, including key assists and set-piece involvement, HIFK finished last in with just 15 points from 22 matches, resulting in direct relegation to for the 2023 season. Eremenko's short-term deal expired at the end of 2022 without renewal, as HIFK underwent significant squad changes following their demotion.

FC Honka (2023)

Roman Eremenko joined on 4 May 2023, signing a until the end of the season following his release from HIFK. The move marked his return to the top flight following a period as a . During the 2023 Veikkausliiga campaign, Eremenko made 17 appearances for Honka, starting 16 matches and accumulating 1,434 minutes on the pitch, while contributing 3 goals and 4 assists that proved pivotal in several key fixtures. His playmaking ability, honed from years in European leagues, added creativity to Honka's midfield, helping the team secure a mid-table finish of 5th place despite a mixed season overall. Eremenko's impact extended to the cup competitions, where he featured in 5 matches across the Suomen Cup, scoring 1 goal, bringing his total contributions to 25 appearances and 4 goals for the club. Notably, he netted the decisive penalty in the 76th minute during the semi-final against IFK Mariehamn on 23 August 2023, securing a 1-0 victory that propelled Honka to the final. In the final on 30 September 2023, Honka fell 1-2 to HJK Helsinki, finishing as runners-up and qualifying for European competition the following season. Eremenko's contract with Honka expired on 31 December 2023, after which he became a and departed the club without renewal.

IF Gnistan (2024–present)

On 30 April 2024, Roman Eremenko signed a contract with for the remainder of their inaugural season, joining the club as a following his release from . Drawing on his prior experience in Finnish football from a stint with Honka the previous year, Eremenko quickly integrated into the squad as a veteran attacking , providing creativity and to the newly promoted side. During the 2024 Veikkausliiga campaign, Eremenko made 17 league appearances for Gnistan, scoring 2 goals and contributing to the 's efforts in securing an 8th-place finish, which ensured their survival in the top flight via the relegation group and . He also featured in 4 and European qualifying matches, totaling 21 appearances across all competitions that season. His technical skills and vision helped stabilize the midfield for a adapting to the demands of Finland's premier division. In February 2025, Eremenko extended his contract with Gnistan until 31 December 2025, committing to another full season despite interest from other clubs. Earlier that January, he trialed with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone but the potential move collapsed due to issues obtaining a work permit. As of 11 November 2025, in the ongoing 2025 Veikkausliiga season, Eremenko has appeared in 19 matches, recording 2 goals and 5 assists, while Gnistan occupies a mid-table position with 33 points from 31 games. At 38 years old, he continues to serve as a key playmaker and mentor, leveraging his extensive professional experience to guide younger teammates in a competitive league environment.

International career

Youth international career

Roman Eremenko began his international career with Finland's youth national teams, debuting for the U15 side in 2002 at the age of 15. He quickly progressed to the U16 team, where he was appointed in 2003, demonstrating early qualities in competitive matches. Eremenko continued his development with the U17 team, featuring prominently in the 2003 qualifiers, where his performances highlighted his technical skill and vision as a . Eremenko advanced to the U19 level, participating in the qualifiers in 2005, contributing to Finland's efforts in group stage matches against stronger European opposition. He then joined the U21 squad, earning caps in qualification campaigns for the , with his last appearance coming in 2007 as he prepared for a senior transition. Across all youth levels—from U15 to U21—Eremenko amassed 35 appearances and scored 8 goals, performances that drew attention from scouts for his potential at the senior international level.

Senior international career

Roman Eremenko made his senior international debut for the national team on 6 June 2007 in a match against . He scored his first goal for on 3 March 2010 during a friendly match against from the penalty spot. As of November 2025, Eremenko has accumulated 73 caps and 5 goals for , with notable contributions in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where his playmaking helped the team compete against stronger opponents. Eremenko's international career was interrupted by a hiatus from 2016 to 2024, stemming from his doping suspension (2016–2018) and subsequent retirement from international duty in 2018 to focus on club football; his last appearance before the break came in June 2015 during a Euro 2016 qualifier against . In May 2025, Eremenko earned a recall to the national team after a nine-year absence for the qualifiers against the and , though he withdrew due to injury and did not feature. Throughout his senior career, Eremenko has been deployed as a creative , leveraging his technical skills and vision to orchestrate attacks in Finland's evolving squad structure. His strong form with in 2025 was a key factor in his national team resurgence.

Personal life

Family and citizenship

Roman Eremenko was born on 19 March 1987 in , (now ), to Russian parents. His family relocated to when he was three years old, following his father's move there for professional opportunities. Eremenko acquired Finnish citizenship in 2003 while retaining his Russian citizenship, granting him dual nationality. Eremenko's father, Aleksei Eremenko Sr., is a former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder for clubs including HJK Helsinki in 's during the early 2000s, exerting significant influence on his sons' development in the sport. His older brother, Aleksei Eremenko Jr., is a former professional footballer who earned 57 caps for the national team between 2003 and 2018, scoring 14 goals. His younger brother, Sergei Eremenko, is also a professional footballer who has represented at youth and senior levels. The family's early immersion in Finnish football culture through these connections shaped Eremenko's path from youth academies to international representation. Eremenko married Eremenko (née Hakala) in the late after a relationship that began around 2006; the couple has three children born between 2010 and 2020, with their first daughter arriving in the summer of 2010. The family has frequently relocated in tandem with Eremenko's , including periods in during his time at Udinese (2005–2009), with Dynamo Kyiv (2008–2012), and with Rubin Kazan and (2012–2018). These moves occasionally posed challenges, such as visa restrictions during his Russian stint that limited his wife's stays to three months at a time, complicating family logistics with young children.

Doping case

In October 2016, provisionally suspended Roman Eremenko after his urine sample, taken following CSKA Moscow's match against Bayer Leverkusen on September 14, tested positive for metabolites. On November 18, UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body imposed a two-year ban, determining that Eremenko had violated anti-doping regulations under , regardless of intent. Eremenko accepted the violation but appealed the sanction's length to the (CAS), arguing for a reduced period; however, CAS upheld the full two-year ineligibility in July 2017, with the ban retroactively starting October 6, 2016, and concluding on October 6, 2018. Initially, Eremenko maintained that he had not intentionally ingested the prohibited substance, consistent with his appeal grounds emphasizing unintentional ingestion. The case drew attention amid the surge in football's anti-doping enforcement, where bodies like and applied zero-tolerance policies to both performance-enhancing and recreational drugs under the World Anti-Doping Code, leading to debates over proportionality—exemplified by similar bans for players like Peru's for a stimulant metabolite. , classified as a non-specified substance, carried a standard two-year penalty unless reduced for no-fault scenarios, which Eremenko's panel rejected due to lack of compelling evidence. In a 2023 with Uutiset, Eremenko publicly admitted to recreational cocaine use during the off-season, stating it began as experimentation but led to : "Voi sen sanoa. Niin siinä kävi. Yllättäen" ("Yes, you can say that. That's how it happened. Unexpectedly"). He explained the positive test resulted from residual traces lingering into the competitive period, despite no in-competition intent to enhance performance, and reflected that "se oli minun virhe, maksoin siitä hinnan" ("it was my mistake, I paid the price"). This admission contrasted his earlier position and highlighted personal accountability years after the ban. The scandal severely damaged Eremenko's reputation, derailing a potential transfer to and contributing to lost commercial opportunities and financial instability during and post-ban. His international career suffered prolonged exclusion from Finland's senior team, with no call-ups until May 2025—nine years after his last appearance—when coach Markku Kanerva included him for World Cup qualifiers against the and . In subsequent reflections, Eremenko has emphasized lessons on responsibility and , noting the ban as a "iso kolaus" (major blow) that reshaped his priorities toward family and sustained play at a lower level.

Honours

Club honours

During his professional career, Roman Eremenko has secured several club honours across various leagues, primarily in and , along with a notable runner-up finish in . With , he contributed to the title in the 2008–09 season. He also won the in 2009 and 2011. At , Eremenko was part of the team that claimed the Russian Cup in the 2011–12 season, where he scored the decisive goal in the final against FC Dinamo Moskva. He also won the in 2012. While with , he helped secure the championship in the 2015–16 season. In his stint at , Eremenko reached the final of the Finnish Cup in 2023 but finished as runner-up after a 1–2 defeat to Ilves. Eremenko has not won any other major club titles, though his teams achieved near-misses such as advancing to the group stages of the with Dynamo Kyiv in 2008–09 and the with Rubin Kazan in 2013–14.

Individual awards

Eremenko has earned multiple individual accolades recognizing his standout performances in domestic and European competitions. He was named Finnish Football Association Player of the Year in 2011, while playing for Dynamo Kyiv and Rubin Kazan, and again in 2014 with Rubin Kazan and . He also received the Finnish Sports Journalists' Player of the Year award three times: in 2011 with Dynamo Kyiv and Rubin Kazan, in 2014 with Rubin Kazan and , and in 2015 with . In recognition of his contributions during the 2014–15 season, where he recorded 11 goals and 9 assists in 27 appearances, Eremenko was honored as the league's . On the European stage, Eremenko led the 2010–11 in assists with 6 for Dynamo Kyiv, setting up key goals during their run to the quarter-finals.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Roman Eremenko's senior club career spans multiple leagues and competitions, with a total of 494 appearances, 68 goals, and 74 assists as of November 2025. His progress was significantly impacted by a two-year doping ban imposed in November 2016, leading to zero appearances in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, though he featured in 12 matches for earlier in 2016 before the suspension took effect, and made limited appearances for Spartak Moscow after the ban ended in 2018. The following table summarizes his club statistics by season, including domestic league, cup, and European/continental competitions. Figures represent appearances (goals/assists) where assists are recorded; totals exclude friendlies and youth matches.
SeasonClubLeagueCupEurope/ContinentalTotal
2004FF Jaro6 (1/0)6 (1/0)
2005FF Jaro13 (2/0)13 (2/0)
2006Udinese/Siena17 (0/3)3 (0/0)20 (0/3)
2007Udinese/Siena13 (0/0)4 (0/0)17 (0/0)
2008Dynamo Kyiv19 (1/3)3 (0/0)13 (1/0)35 (2/3)
2009Dynamo Kyiv26 (1/6)3 (0/0)6 (0/0)35 (1/6)
2010Dynamo Kyiv/Rubin Kazan47 (5/8)3 (0/0)16 (1/1)66 (6/9)
2011Rubin Kazan/Dynamo Kyiv10 (1/4)4 (1/1)4 (0/1)18 (2/6)
2012Rubin Kazan25 (6/2)1 (0/1)10 (0/4)36 (6/7)
2013Rubin Kazan27 (3/5)1 (0/0)11 (5/2)39 (8/7)
2014CSKA Moscow25 (13/6)2 (0/0)6 (0/1)33 (13/7)
2015CSKA Moscow25 (3/4)3 (0/0)7 (0/4)35 (3/8)
2016CSKA Moscow9 (3/2)1 (0/0)2 (1/0)12 (4/2)
2017CSKA Moscow— (banned)0 (0/0)
2018Spartak Moscow4 (1/1)0 (0/0)0 (0/0)4 (1/1)
2019FC Rostov13 (3/2)2 (1/1)2 (0/0)17 (4/3)
2020Rostov19 (5/3)1 (0/0)20 (5/3)
2021Rostov16 (1/1)1 (0/0)1 (0/0)18 (1/1)
2022HIFK6 (0/0)5 (2/1)11 (2/1)
2023FC Honka13 (1/3)5 (1/1)6 (2/1)24 (4/5)
2024IF Gnistan12 (1/1)5 (1/0)2 (0/1)19 (2/2)
2025IF Gnistan11 (1/4)9 (1/2)20 (2/6)
Club Breakdown (All Competitions): FF Jaro (19 apps, 3 goals, 0 assists); Udinese/Siena (37 apps, 0 goals, 3 assists); Dynamo Kyiv (154 apps, 11 goals, 22 assists); Rubin Kazan (130 apps, 19 goals, 26 assists); CSKA Moscow (80 apps, 20 goals, 17 assists); Spartak Moscow (4 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist); FC Rostov (90 apps, 14 goals, 9 assists); HIFK (11 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist); FC Honka (24 apps, 4 goals, 5 assists); IF Gnistan (39 apps, 4 goals, 8 assists).

International statistics

Roman Eremenko made his debut for the senior national team on 6 June 2007 in a 0–0 friendly draw against , coming on as a substitute in the second half. Over the course of his senior international career, he has accumulated 75 caps and scored 5 goals, with appearances spanning friendlies, qualifiers, and qualifiers. A significant hiatus occurred from 2016 to 2024, during which he earned 0 caps, primarily due to a doping suspension that sidelined him from international duty. In 2025, Eremenko was recalled to the squad for the qualifiers and made 2 appearances without scoring. Eremenko's senior caps are distributed across competitions as follows: 35 appearances in qualifiers (all 5 goals in qualifiers: 20 in qualifiers and 15 in qualifiers) and 40 in international friendlies (0 goals). Key tournament participations include the qualifiers, where he featured prominently, and earlier campaigns for Euro 2008 and 2012 qualifiers.
YearCompetitionAppearancesGoals
2007–2015Friendlies & Qualifiers735
2016–2024Hiatus00
2025World Cup Qualifiers20
TotalSenior755
At level, Eremenko represented from U15 to U21, totaling 35 appearances and 8 goals, with notable contributions in qualifiers and tournaments at U19 and U21 levels. His career included stints in U17 and U19 qualifiers, where he scored several goals to aid qualification efforts.
Team LevelAppearancesGoalsKey Contexts
U15–U17124Domestic friendlies and early qualifiers
U19102UEFA qualifiers
U21132UEFA qualifiers and tournaments
Total358Across internationals

References

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