1. Early Life and Career
Oleg Zoteyev's professional football journey began in his native Uzbekistan, laying the groundwork for a career marked by both domestic success and international experience.
1.1. Birth and Background
Oleg Zoteyev was born on July 5, 1989, in Olmaliq, which was then part of the Uzbek SSR. His early life in Olmaliq set the stage for his entry into professional football.
1.2. Early Uzbekistani Club Career
Zoteyev initiated his professional career in 2008 with FC Pakhtakor Tashkent. Following his debut, he transferred to his hometown club, FC AGMK (formerly Olmaliq FK), before the 2010 season. He spent three seasons as a prominent midfielder for AGMK until the end of the 2012 season. In 2013, Zoteyev joined FC Bunyodkor, a prestigious club in the Uzbekistan Super League, where he played for two seasons until 2014. During his tenure at Bunyodkor, he played an integral part in the club's success, achieving a domestic double in 2013 by winning both the Uzbek League and the Uzbek Cup. He also contributed to the team's victory in the 2014 Uzbekistan Super Cup and helped Bunyodkor reach the final of the 2014 Uzbek Cup, where they finished as runners-up.
2. Club Career Highlights
Zoteyev's career is marked by impactful tenures at several prominent clubs, where he achieved significant success both domestically and internationally.
2.1. Lokomotiv Tashkent
On January 6, 2015, Oleg Zoteyev moved to PFC Lokomotiv Tashkent, an emerging powerhouse in the Uzbekistan Super League. His time at Lokomotiv Tashkent, which lasted until mid-2020, was highly successful. He was a central midfielder in the squad that achieved a remarkable three consecutive Uzbekistan Super League titles from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, he helped the team secure two Uzbek Cup victories in 2016 and 2017, and reached the semi-finals of the Uzbek Cup in 2015. Zoteyev also played a key role in Lokomotiv's triumph in the 2019 Uzbekistan Super Cup. His contributions extended to continental competitions, as he was part of the team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 AFC Champions League.
2.2. Jeonnam Dragons (South Korea)
In mid-2020, Oleg Zoteyev ventured into the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean professional football, by joining Jeonnam Dragons. Pursued by the club to strengthen their flanks, he arrived at Incheon International Airport on June 10, enduring a two-week self-quarantine period before his transfer was officially confirmed on June 27. This marked his first professional experience playing in an overseas league.
Zoteyev made his K League debut on June 28, 2020, starting in an 8th-round home match against Suwon FC at Gwangyang Football Stadium. He completed the full match, showcasing his characteristic overlapping runs and accurate crosses. In the following 9th-round game against Ansan Greeners FC, he registered his first assist, contributing to a dominant 4-0 victory. However, his progress was interrupted by an injury sustained during the 12th-round match against Gyeongnam FC, which sidelined him for three months and 13 games. He returned to action in the 25th-round match against Daejeon Hana Citizen, delivering a strong performance after coming on as a second-half substitute. Despite playing in the remaining three matches after his return, Jeonnam Dragons finished sixth in the league, missing out on the postseason. Despite the injury, his performance in 8 games with 1 assist in the 2020 season was largely praised, leading to his retention for the 2021 season, making him the only foreign player from the previous season to remain with the team.
In the 2021 season, Zoteyev continued to be a vital player. He started in the opening match against Chungnam Asan FC and scored his debut K League goal in the second round against Gyeongnam FC, contributing to a 1-0 victory. His performance throughout the season, which included 1 goal and 1 assist, helped Jeonnam Dragons qualify for the K League 2 semi-playoff. His exceptional play earned him a spot in the K League Best XI on four occasions during the season. His most significant contribution came in the 2021 Korean FA Cup final against Daegu FC. In the second leg, he scored Jeonnam's third goal with a spectacular volley in the 54th minute, securing the club's fourth FA Cup title in 14 years. Zoteyev concluded the 2021 season with a record of 2 goals and 1 assist in 29 official matches across all competitions. He departed Jeonnam Dragons on January 4, 2022, upon the expiration of his contract. During his time in the K League, his registered name was 올렉OlegKorean.
2.3. Return to Uzbekistan and Later Career
Following his successful stint in South Korea, Oleg Zoteyev returned to the Uzbekistan Super League for the 2022 season, joining Qizilqum Zarafshon. He played for Qizilqum for two seasons, contributing to the club's fifth-place finish in the league, their best performance in 19 years. After the 2023 season, Qizilqum Zarafshon was relegated to the Uzbekistan Pro League, and Zoteyev subsequently moved to FC Sogdiana Jizzakh.
3. International Career
Oleg Zoteyev has been a consistent representative for Uzbekistan at various levels of international football, from youth competitions to the senior national team.
3.1. Youth and Olympic Teams
Zoteyev's international career began with the Uzbekistan U23 team. He participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics Asian Qualifiers, where he scored 2 goals in 4 matches, helping the team advance to the playoff round.
3.2. Senior National Team
Zoteyev made his senior international debut for the Uzbekistan national team on January 17, 2012, in a friendly match against Kuwait. His first international goal came on June 18, 2013, in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. He scored Uzbekistan's second goal in a 5-1 victory, helping the team qualify for the World Cup Asian Play-off round for the first time in eight years.
He was selected for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup squad, featuring as a starter in three out of Uzbekistan's four matches. The team successfully reached the knockout stage for the fifth consecutive time but was eliminated in the Round of 16 after a penalty shootout loss to Australia. Zoteyev also participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, making four appearances in Group D. Uzbekistan finished second in their group, behind Saudi Arabia, and ranked seventh among the second-placed teams, which led to their placement in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Third Qualifying Round.
4. Career Statistics
The following table provides an overview of Oleg Zoteyev's international goal. Comprehensive club statistics are not fully available across all sources.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | June 18, 2013 | Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan |  Qatar | 2-1 | 5-1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
5. Honours
Oleg Zoteyev has accumulated numerous team and individual honours throughout his club career.
Bunyodkor
- Uzbek League: 2013
- Uzbek Cup: 2013
- Uzbekistan Super Cup: 2013
- Uzbek Cup runner-up: 2014
Lokomotiv Tashkent
- Uzbekistan Super League: 2016, 2017, 2018
- Uzbek Cup: 2016, 2017
- Uzbekistan Super Cup: 2019
- Uzbekistan Super League runner-up: 2015, 2019
- Uzbek Cup semi-finalist: 2015
Jeonnam Dragons
- Korean FA Cup: 2021
- K League 2 fourth place: 2021