Position: MidfielderNationality: Russian
Nickname: Billy
Everton fans liked Bilyaletdinov off the pitch and the way he went about things the right way but his hefty price tag was a weight around his neck and he never fulfilled his full potential at Everton.
Did You Know? Everton fans nicknamed him Billy because they couldn't pronounce Bilyaletdinov!
Bilyaletdinov signed a four-year contract with English club Everton in August 2009 for an undisclosed fee – believed to be £8.9 million – upon recommendation from national team manager Guus Hiddink, who was at Chelsea at that time.
He made his debut for Everton coming on as an 89th-minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Wigan Athletic later in the month.
He created the first 3 goals with two assists in his first-ever start for Everton in the inaugural Europa League in a 4–0 win over AEK Athens. Bilyaletdinov scored seven goals in his first season in England, including one against Manchester United that was voted the club's goal of the season.
In January 2012 Bilyaletdinov was sold to Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee.
