Odil Ahmedov

Odil Ahmedov (born 25 November 1987) is an Uzbek international footballer, who plays for FC Krasnodar. He usually plays as a central midfielder, but also played as a centre back during the 2011 Asian Cup, because of some injured defenders.

Club career

Early years

Born in Namangan Province, Ahmedov began playing football in reserve side of Pakhtakor Tashkent. After two seasons, he joined the first team and won the Uzbek League twice with the club.

Pakhtakor

He made his official debut for the first-team of Pakhtakor on 16 May 2006 aged 18, in a Uzbek League away match against Qizilqum Zarafshon.

It was revealed by Pakhtakor that Odil Ahmedov had received offers from foreign clubs such as the Russian Premier League members Krylia Sovetov Samara and FC Dynamo Moscow. But Pakhtakor officials believed that Odil Ahmedov deserves a better offer referring to the top European clubs such as the ones from England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France.

After his stunning performance at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, a lot of clubs showed interest in him, for example the Russian teams such as Rubin Kazan, Anzhi Makhachkala, and Lokomotiv Moscow, Spanish side Málaga CF, English side Bolton Wanderers, French side AS Monaco, Saudi side Al-Ittihad, Ukrainian sides Dynamo Kiev and Metalist Kharkiv, and the Turkish side Beşiktaş J.K.. The highest prices were from the Saudi side Al-Shabab who have offered 8 million euros, and the Qatari side Al-Gharafa offering 12 million euros.