His playing ability brought him to Russian football giant Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2007.

He was described as a "calm facilitator, keeping the ball moving and rarely losing possession" as he played in front of defenders.

[1] In 2008, he scored against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the 2007–08 UEFA Cup to help earn his side a place in the final against Scottish club Rangers.

Zyryanov was struck by tragedy in August 2002 when his wife Olga, who was a drug addict, jumped from their eighth floor apartment holding the hand of his four-year-old daughter.

His new partner Natalia gave birth to their first child, a boy they called Lev, on 20 September 2008.