Dmitri Sennikov

Russian association football player

Dmitri Aleksandrovich Sennikov (Дмитрий Александрович Сенников; born 24 June 1976) is a former Russian international association football defender best known for his performances for Lokomotiv Moscow, where he spent a total of 11 seasons.

Dmitri Sennikov was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) and graduated from Zenit football school. He was not signed by any professional club and continued playing football as a hobby. In 1996, he was invited to Lokomotiv Saint Petersburg, a First Division team. After two years at the club, he accepted the offer of CSKA Moscow. However, Sennikov failed to become a first team regular and was loaned to Shinnik Yaroslavl after half a season. In 1999, he transferred to another First Division club, Rubin Kazan. In 2000, Sennikov returned to Moscow, having accepted an offer from Lokomotiv, a team for which he went on to make more than 200 appearances in all competitions. On 21 December 2010, following the expiration of his last contract with the club, he announced his retirement as a player.

Sennikov's first game for the national team was on 27 March 2002, an away friendly against Estonia. He has played for Russia at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004. He made his final appearance for the team on 12 October 2005, in a decisive 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification away match against Slovakia, which resulted in a goalless draw and subsequent elimination of Russia from the competition.

Sennikov could play any defensive position in any formation; a center back or a full back on either flank. At Lokomotiv Moscow, under long term manager Yuri Syomin, Sennikov usually played on the left of a back three, despite being right footed. He could also play on the right, depending on whom he was chosen to partner in defense for a particular game. Although not his primary position, he sometimes played as a full back, both for the club and the national team.

Sennikov has named the Premier League his favorite footballing competition and Liverpool his favorite team, which he supports since the 1990s.