Ukraine international, Iakovenko, is a midfielder, who both assists and scores goals, and who is used to playing on the left wing. He began his footballing career in his home country, Ukraine, and then moved to Belgium. Following time with Lierse SK, KRC Genk, KVC Westerlo and Oud-Heverlee Leuven, the Ukraine-born player signed to one of the country’s top teams, RSC Anderlecht in 2008/09, and went on to win the League championship in 2011/12 and 2012/13, as well as the 2012 Super Cup. Iakovenko will wear the number ‘10’ shirt, and is to be officially presented as a ‘Malaguista’ on Monday 3rd February at 12:30 p.m. at La Rosaleda.
Career
Oleksandr Iakovenko kicked off his career with Lokomotiv Kiev, and in 2003/04 moved to Metalist Kharkiv II. He then went to Belgium in 2005/06 and signed to Lierse SK at just 18 years of age. He took part in 24 League games, scoring two goals.
In 2006/07, Iakovenko signed to KRC Genk, and was later loaned out to RSC Anderlecht during the 2007/08 January transfer window. It was here he made his UEFA Cup debut, scoring a goal in the 1-2 win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
RSC Anderlecht acquired the player’s rights in 2008/09, and Iakovenko played 19 League games that season, and scored two goals.
Iakoveno was loaned out to KVC Westerlo for the following two seasons, and his style of play matured. He played a total of 70 matches, scoring 15 goals and assisting 26.
The Ukranian-born midfielder returned to RSC Anderlecht in 2011/12, and loaned out to Oud-Heverlee Leuven during the winter transfer market. He took part in 13 official games, scoring three goals and assisting eight.
Iakovenko returned to RSC Anderlecht in 2012/13, and really shone during his time there. During 20 League matches he scored seven goals, and one goal assist, and was a key player in the team’s League championship win. They won the Super Cup and took part in the UEFA Champions League, coming up against Málaga Club de Fútbol in the group stage first leg.
As his time in Belgium came to an end, Iakovenko signed to Fiorentina in 2013/14. So far this season he’s played in six official matches with the Florence-based side, three in the ‘Serie A’ and three Europa League games.
Ukraine
Iakovenko has represented Ukraine in every team in the youth categories, from the under-17’s to the under-21’s. With the country’s first team, he took part in a friendly against Norway on 2nd June 2010.