Biography
Who is Alan Dzagoev?
Early life and real name
Alan Dzagoev was born on June 17, 1990, in Beslan, Russia, to parents Yelizbar and Lyana. His family originally came from Georgia and moved to Beslan in 1989. Growing up, he was the younger of two brothers, sharing his childhood with his sibling Gela. At birth, his surname was Zagoshvili before it changed. During his early years, he played football on the streets with his brother until his mother enrolled them in the Terek Beslan youth team.
In 2000, Alan moved to Vladikavkaz to join a local youth team named Yunost. During this period, he became a fan of Alania Vladikavkaz as his team attended their matches. He looked up to Valery Gazzaev as a childhood hero, and also admired players like Evgeni Aldonin and Frank Lampard. In July 2005, he took a significant step in his development by joining the Konoplyov football academy, which paved the way for his professional career.
Club career highlights
Alan Dzagoev began his senior career with Akademiya Tolyatti, making his professional debut on April 29, 2006, in a match against Tyumen. He appeared in 37 matches and scored six goals for the team before moving on. Prior to the start of the 2008 Russian Premier League season, he signed with CSKA Moscow. In his debut season, he made an immediate impact by scoring goals and providing assists, leading to him winning the Best Young Player award from the Russian Football Union.
During his long tenure with CSKA Moscow, Alan won three Russian Premier League titles and four Russian Cups. He played in various European competitions, scoring memorable goals against teams like Manchester United, Internazionale, and Real Madrid. Later in his career, he joined Rubin Kazan for a brief stint and finished his playing days with the Greek club Lamia. On November 21, 2023, he officially announced his retirement from professional football due to persistent injuries.
International career
Alan Dzagoev made his debut for the Russia national team on October 11, 2008, in a World Cup qualification match against Germany. Coming on as a half-time substitute at the age of 18 years and 116 days, he became the youngest outfield player ever to represent Russia at the time. Manager Guus Hiddink praised his vision and ability to make decisive passes during the match.
He scored his first international goal on October 8, 2010, against the Republic of Ireland. He gained international prominence during UEFA Euro 2012, where he scored three goals and finished as a joint-top scorer of the tournament alongside several other players. He also represented Russia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he provided an important assist in the quarterfinals against Croatia before his retirement from the sport.
Alan's height and personal life
Alan Dzagoev stands at a height of 178 centimeters. In July 2012, he married Zarema Abayeva, who is originally from Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia Alania. The couple has two children together, a daughter named Elana born in 2013 and a son named Khetag born in 2016. Outside of his family life and athletic pursuits, he remains closely connected to his roots in Beslan and his upbringing in the region.
Birthday and age
Alan Dzagoev was born on June 17, 1990, which makes Alan 36 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Alan shares the date with 31 other famous people.
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