Alexei Eremenko is a Russian-born Finnish former professional footballer. He is a midfielder who is able to operate in many roles, and is also known as a set piece specialist.
Eremenko spent some time with Tromsø IL in Norway and with the youth academy of FC Metz in France, before returning to Finland to make his Veikkausliiga debut with FC Jokerit in 2001. A try out with Aston Villa followed, but in the next season he moved to HJK, and eventually became the league's top player. He won two Finnish championships and one Finnish Cup with HJK. In the summer of 2004, Eremenko moved abroad, joining Italian Serie A club US Lecce. After failing to make a major breakthrough at Lecce, he moved to FC Saturn on a four-year deal in January 2006 transfer window, becoming a key player for the Russian side. On 15 July 2011, it was reported that he was signing for Leeds United in a Finnish newspaper, but the transfer was delayed due to a cancelled flight, which prevented him from linking up with the squad in Scotland.
Metalist Kharkiv
On 29 July 2009, Eremenko signed a three-year contract with the Ukrainian club FC Metalist Kharkiv, and scored his first goal in his debut game against HNK Rijeka.
Jaro (loan)
On 12 March 2010, it was announced that Eremenko had been traded back to his first club, FF Jaro, for the 2010 season. His father, Alexei Eremenko Sr., is the current manager of FF Jaro. He managed to score on his debut, in a Finnish League Cup game against JJK on 20 March 2010. He also continued scoring in Veikkausliiga's opening match against FC Lahti, scoring on a rebound after his unsuccessful penalty kick.
On 30 August 2010, it was announced that Eremenko had been traded to Mixu Paatelainen's Kilmarnock until the end of the season. He scored on his debut in a 2–1 victory over St Mirren. On 5 March 2011, Eremenko was given his second straight red card of the season against Hearts at Tynecastle after an off the ball altercation with Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas. On 11 April, Eremenko stated that he wanted to end his career at Rugby Park. Eremenko was nominated for the 2010–11 Players' Player of the Year award, losing out to Celtic'sEmilio Izaguirre. After returning from his loan spell, Metalist Kharkiv told him he could leave, where he then stated that he had received bids from a Championship club and a Russian club, with reports that Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers were interested in signing him. The Championship club was later reported to be the Welsh club Cardiff City. Brighton & Hove Albion, a fellow Championship club, were also believed to be interested in signing Eremenko.
In June 2013 Kairat signed Eremenko on a free transfer from Rubin Kazan. Eremenko terminated his contract with Kairat on 26 November 2013.
Kilmarnock return
On 28 January 2014, it was announced that Eremenko had joined Kilmarnock until the end of the 2013–14 season. On 7 August 2014, he signed a new contract at Kilmarnock, keeping him at the club for the 2014–15 season. At the end of the season, Eremenko left the club after failing to agree to the terms on a new contract.
Jaro (second spell)
On 7 August 2015, Eremenko signed for FF Jaro, agreeing to a contract until the end of the 2015 Veikkausliiga season, with the contract also containing a clause allowing him to move abroad should he receive a suitable offer.
