Background
Popov was born in Yaroslavl, Soviet Union.
Popov was born in Yaroslavl, Soviet Union.
He started playing professionally at local Football Club Shinnik Yaroslavl, then signed with country giants Football Club Spartak Moscow. In 1993 Popov moved to Spain alongside teammate Dmitri Radchenko, and would spend there the following six 1/2 years, with Racing de Santander (in the 1995-1996 season, he teamed up there with compatriot Ilshat Faizulin), South Dakota Compostela and Civil Defense Toledo. In January 2000 he joined Israel"s Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club, retiring at the end of the campaign.
Popov returned to Spartak Moscow in 2008, as its director of football.
He obtained 21 caps and scored four goals for the Russian national team, and was part of the national squad at the 1994.