Kanchelskis is probably the most famous Russian player to grace the fields of Britain over the last decade since coming to prominence at Manchester United.
The Russian international joined United for just £650,000 from Shakhtar Donetsk in 1991. The player had started his career with Dynamo Kiev.
At United he was very much the flying winger and was a crowd favourite with the club. It was something of a surprise when he left the club for Everton in a £5million deal in 1995 as Joe Royle snapped up the player.
His career then began on a downward spiral as it transpired that the player had fallen out with former boss Alex Ferguson.
Never felt at home on Merseyside and he went to Serie A in 1997 when Fiorentina moved in for the player. A move to Scotland with Rangers soon followed as Kanchelskis failed to adapt to the Italian style.
His time at Rangers was dogged by questions of his commitment to the cause, and it became clear in the 2000/01 season that he was not part of boss Dick Advocaat's long term plans.
A return to the Premiership surfaced in January 2001 as Joe Royle stepped in to take him to struggling Manchester City on loan with a view to a permanent move. Failed to help City avert the drop in his 11 appearances for the club and didn't not earn a full move.
Was only a bit part player for Rangers in the 2001/02 season, and was released at the end of the campaign.
Trained with Southampton over the summer to keep his fitness up, but Kanchelskis impressed manager Gordon Strachan so much he was given a contract on transfer deadline day in August 2002.
- WHO'S WHO