Former Lokomotiv Moscow defensive midfielder Alexey Smertin, aged 34 years, has decided to hang up his boots, by thus bringing to an end a glittering career which spanned 17 years. Smetin started his football career at his home-town club Dynamo Barnaul. In his first two years Smertin played 42 games and scored 2 goals. After he earned a transfer to FC Zarya Leninsk-Kuznetsky, and thereafter to Uralan Elista. In 1999 he moved to Lokomotiv and during his two year stay Smertin played 39 games in which he found the back of the net seven times. His strong performances for Lokomotiv hasn't gone unnoticed and soon Smertin was transfered for the fourth time, this time outside of Russia, to be exact to Girondins de Bordeaux. After three years playing in France, Smertin was bought by the Russian owned Chelsea FC. After three years wearing the blue shirt of the Londoners, and two seasons turning out for Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic respectively, Smertin returned to Russia, this time to wear the blue shirt of Dynamo Moscow. After playing the whole season of 2006 for the Moscovites, Smertin left Russia again to play for another London club, this time Fulham. Eventually this resulted to be his last transfer and after nearly a year unattached, Smertin decided to hang up his boots. Moreover Smertin have 55 games to his name for the national of Russia. Furthermore on some occasions Smertin had the honour to captain the side, for instance the tournament of EURO 2004. Additonally, Smertin had the honour to represent the national side in the World Cup of 2002. 
During his career, Smertin won several awards being:
- the best Russian player (1999)
- the Cup of Russia (2000)
- the Cup of France (2002)
- the Cup and Championship of England (both in 2005)
All the best for the future Alexey!!
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