Zhirkov played 14 league matches in his first season, scoring three goals: one in a 2–0 win against Krylya Sovetov Samara on his 29 September debut, and two in a 4–2 win over former club CSKA on 9 March. On 2 October 2014, in added time at the end of their UEFA Europa League group stage match against PSV, substitute Zhirkov scored the only goal of the match for Dynamo. Zenit On 26 January 2016, Zenit Saint Petersburg announced they signed a two-year contract with Zhirkov. If Zenit and Dynamo would be not able to agree on a transfer fee during the winter 2015–16 transfer window, he would have joined Zenit in July 2016 as a free agent, after his Dynamo contract expired. However, the two clubs agreed on transfer fee and he joined Zenit on 30 January. Khimki On 13 January 2022, he signed a contract with Khimki until the end of the 2021–22 season, with an option to extend for an additional year. Zhirkov's contract with Khimki was terminated by mutual consent on 27 June 2022. Retirement Zhirkov announced his retirement from playing on 12 February 2023. International career Zhirkov made his debut for Russia on 9 February 2005, starting a 2–0 friendly defeat to Italy in Cagliari. Zhirkov was named in the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament after helping the team to the semi-finals. In October 2008, Zhirkov was named as one of the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award, given to the top player in Europe. On 18 November 2009, Zhirkov received his first red card for the national side – he was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence in the dying minutes of Russia's 0–1 away loss to Slovenia in the second leg of the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off after pushing a Slovenian substitute. In August 2011, Zhirkov was heckled by Russian fans during a friendly match against Serbia in Moscow nearly every time he contacted the ball; he was even bombarded with a cigarette packet near the corner area. The fans were angered by his move to Anzhi. Zhirkov was confirmed for Russia's Euro 2012 squad on 25 May 2012, playing in all three of Russia's matches as they were eliminated in the group stage. On 2 June 2014, Zhirkov was included in Russia's 2014 World Cup squad. In the final preparation match for the