Pavels Mihadjuks
Encyclopedia
Pāvels Mihadjuks is a Latvia
n professional association footballer who plays for FK Liepājas Metalurgs in the Latvian Higher League. He previously played for FK Ventspils
, which he joined after his contract expired in December 2009.
Mihadjuks started his career as a forward, but quickly developed into an imposing centre half. After some excellent displays for the Latvian under 21 team, he gained the nickname "'Pāvels Slepkava'" which means "Pāvels The Butcher" in English. The nickname was due to his habit of injuring opponents with sturdy tackles. A request was made to FIFA
to allow Mihadjuks to wear the name "Slepkava" on his back but this was declined.
Mihadjuks, who played for the Latvia national under-21 football team
, joined FK Ventspils
from FK Riga
in 2008. He helped Ventspils to the Latvian league championship, and played for them against Norwegian side SK Brann in the UEFA Champions League
qualifiers.
Mihadjuks joined Inverness CT
on trial during January 2009, and signed a contract with them until the end of the 2008–09 season a few days later. He made his Inverness debut in the Scottish Cup
against , and he then scored his first goal for the club in a league
match against Hearts
. Mihadjuks left Inverness at the end of the 2008–09 season and rejoined Ventspils.
On 8 February 2010 it was announced that Dundee United
had signed Mihadjuks until the end of the season.
After the season he left Dundee United and after long-term talks signed a contract with his local city club FK Liepājas Metalurgs.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n professional association footballer who plays for FK Liepājas Metalurgs in the Latvian Higher League. He previously played for FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament....
, which he joined after his contract expired in December 2009.
Mihadjuks started his career as a forward, but quickly developed into an imposing centre half. After some excellent displays for the Latvian under 21 team, he gained the nickname "'Pāvels Slepkava'" which means "Pāvels The Butcher" in English. The nickname was due to his habit of injuring opponents with sturdy tackles. A request was made to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
to allow Mihadjuks to wear the name "Slepkava" on his back but this was declined.
Mihadjuks, who played for the Latvia national under-21 football team
Latvia national under-21 football team
The Latvia national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Latvia and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body of football in Latvia. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
, joined FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils
FK Ventspils is a Latvian football club, based at Ventspils Olimpiskais Stadions in Ventspils city and is one of the most popular football clubs in the country. FK Ventspils plays in the Latvian Virsliga. They are the current champions of the tournament....
from FK Riga
FK Riga
FK Rīga was a Latvian football club based in Riga. They played in the Virslīga, the top division in Latvian football. They played their home games at Latvijas Universitates Stadions. In 1999, its first year of existence, the club won the Latvian Cup, beating Skonto at the final. The club also...
in 2008. He helped Ventspils to the Latvian league championship, and played for them against Norwegian side SK Brann in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifiers.
Mihadjuks joined Inverness CT
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
on trial during January 2009, and signed a contract with them until the end of the 2008–09 season a few days later. He made his Inverness debut in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
against , and he then scored his first goal for the club in a league
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
match against Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. Mihadjuks left Inverness at the end of the 2008–09 season and rejoined Ventspils.
On 8 February 2010 it was announced that Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
had signed Mihadjuks until the end of the season.
After the season he left Dundee United and after long-term talks signed a contract with his local city club FK Liepājas Metalurgs.