 Once regarded as one of the most promising players in Europe, But signed in 1994, at not yet 17, with German side Borussia Dortmund, from local FC Chernomorets Novorossiysk, but spent his first years with the juniors.On 21 August 1996, he finally made his first team debut, appearing in 10 minutes of a 4–0 home league win against Fortuna Düsseldorf.But finished his first season with 11 matches and one goal, and added two games (three minutes total) in the club's victorious UEFA Champions League campaign, becoming the second Russian player to win the competition after Igor Dobrovolski.