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Rudi Molotnikov
Rudi Allan Molotnikov (born 23 May 2006) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership club Hibernian, and has represented Scotland at the under-17 and under-19 levels. [1][2] CareerMolotnikov, a lifelong Hibernian fan from nearby Loanhead, began training with the club at around five years old and signed his first academy contract aged 10.[3] In July 2022, he signed a two-year professional contract with Hibernian.[4] He travelled with the Hibernian first-team in July 2023 to their summer training camp,[5] He featured during the pre-season friendlies, playing as a wide midfielder.[6] He was named among the first-team match day substitutes on 27 July 2023, in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Inter Club d'Escaldes.[7] In August 2023 he signed a new three-year contract with the club.[8] On August 31, 2023 he made his professional debut for Hibs, appearing as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League.[9] He was loaned to Stirling Albion in February 2024.[10] At the start of the 2024/25 season, new manager David Gray gave Molotnikov a consistent run in the starting eleven, and on July 16, 2024 he scored his first professional goal in a 5-1 League Cup victory over Queen's Park[11]. He signed a new four-year deal with Hibs on December 30, 2024, due to run until the summer of 2029[12]. International careerIn March 2023, he helped the Scotland U-17 team qualify for the 2023 UEFA European U-17 Championship. He was also subsequently then named in the Scotland U17 squad for the tournament.[13][14] Personal lifeMolotnikov grew up in Loanhead, Midlothian. His father is Justin Molotnikov, a Scottish-born television and film director with credits including Outlander, Poldark and Doctor Who.[15][16] References
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