Viktor Onopko

• Full name: Viktor Savelyevich Onopko (Виктор Савельевич Онопко)
• Date of birth: October 14, 1969
• Place of birth: Voroshilovgrad (now Luhansk), Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
• Nationality: Russian (born in Ukrainian SSR; represented USSR/CIS early in career and Russia at senior level)
• Position: Centre-back / Defender

Club career (highlights)

• Shakhtar Donetsk (youth / early career) — came through development systems in the Soviet era.
• Spartak Vladikavkaz / Alania Vladikavkaz — notable early professional years in Russian league.
• PSV Eindhoven — transfer to Dutch football brought wider recognition (mid-1990s).
• Real Oviedo — many seasons in La Liga, established as a reliable central defender in Spain.
• Rayo Vallecano — later spells in Spain before returning to Russia.
• Return to Russia — finished career with spells at Russian clubs before retirement.

International career

• Represented the USSR/CIS youth setups early on and later became a mainstay of the Russia national team after the Soviet breakup.
• Russia caps: 109 international appearances (a record for Russia at the time he retired).
• Russia goals: 7 goals for the national team — notable for a central defender.
• Played for Russia in major tournaments, including UEFA Euro 1996 and Euro 2004 qualifiers and other international competitions during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Style of play and legacy

• Onopko was known as a commanding, intelligent centre-back with strong positional sense, aerial ability and leadership on the pitch.
• Respected for professionalism and consistency, he remains one of Russia’s most-capped players and a prominent figure in Russian football of his generation.

Post-playing career

• After retirement, Onopko has been involved in football in various capacities, including coaching roles, administration and youth development at different times.

Honours & records (selected)

• Over 100 caps for Russia (one of the country's all-time leaders at retirement).
• Long club career across Russia, the Netherlands and Spain, notable for sustained performances in top European leagues.