Date of Birth: September 29, 1976
Birthplace: Kiev, Ukraine
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Previous Clubs: Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)



Ukraine international striker signed by AC Milan from Dynamo Kiev to a $25 million, five-year contract, a record-breaking sum for any player from the former Soviet Union. Finished as the top scorer in Serie A with 24 goals at the end of his first season in Italy. Says that he has always dreamed of playing for the Italian giants. Appeared in 117 premier division games for Dynamo Kiev, scoring 59 goals. Won the Ukraine Player of the Year award in 1997 and was the top scorer in the Ukrainian premier division with 18 goals in the 1998-99 season. Hat-trick at Nou Camp in 4-0 drubbing of Barcelona in European Champions' League established him as one of the hottest strikers in Europe. Kiev-born, he made his international debut at 18 against Croatia in a European championship qualifier. Hailed as a national hero after his two goals knocked holders Real Madrid out of the 1999 European Cup. Has been compared to former Ukrainian great Oleg Blokhin and has also been compared with Brazil's Ronaldo. Scored on his Serie debut for Milan against newly-promoted Lecce. Is the latest striker at Milan to be saddled with the burden of trying to imitate Marco Van Basten.