Petr Katchouro

Petr Katchouro (born August 2, 1972 in Minsk, Soviet Union) is a former Belarusian footballer. He played for the Belarus national side on 29 occasions and scored five goals. [cite web|publisher="RSSSF"|title=Belarus - Record International Players|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/witr-recintlp.html|accessdate=2008-09-23]

Playing career

Katchouro started his playing career at his hometown club FC Dinamo Minsk. They are the most successful team in Belarus and have won the Belarusian Premier League a record seven times since it began in 1992. Katchouro was part of the side which won the Belarusian Premier League in 1995.

In July,1996 Sheffield United signed Katchouro for ₤650,000. He scored 14 goals in his first season as the Blades finished in fifth place in Division One and qualified for the Playoffs. However, the Blades lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the final at Wembley, with a last minute David Hopkin goal shattering United's promotion dream. Katchouro was awarded for his performances by being given the 1996/97 player of the season award at Bramall Lane. The following season he made just 16 appearances, due to injuries, as the Blades qualified for the playoffs once again by finishing in sixth place. This time they lost in the semi-finals, with Sunderland defeating the Blades 3-2 on aggregate, after the Blades had held a 2-1 lead going into the second leg. Katchouro failed to score that season, but made amends in the next season, as he scored six goals in 16 appearances as the Blades failed to qualify for the playoffs by finishing in a disappointing eighth place, nine points from the playoffs. Katchouro missed a large part of the season due to a punctured lung injury in the 4-0 home defeat to Sunderland. His final season in England saw him score three goals in 30 appearances as the Blades woeful start condemned them to a 16th place finish, as Neil Warnock replaced Adrian Heath as manager in early December and rescued the Blades from relegation.

In March, 2000 Katchouro was transferred to Chinese side Chengdu Wuniu on a free transfer. He stayed there for one season before re-joining his hometown club F.C Dinamo Minsk in August, 2000.

He has since retired from professional football.

Clubs

*FC Dinamo Minsk 1995-96
*Sheffield United 1996-2000 --95 appearances& 19 goals
*Chengdu Wuniu 2000
*FC Dinamo Minsk 2000-retired

References