Artjoms Rudņevs is a former Latvian professional football player who made history in the German Bundesliga. He is best known for his time at Hamburger SV and his incredible goal-scoring record in Poland.
In this article, you will know Artjoms Rudņevs’ Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Artjoms Rudņevs’ Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Artjoms Rudņevs |
| Date of Birth | January 13, 1988 |
| Age | 37 |
| Place of Birth | Daugavpils, Latvia |
| Nationality | Latvian |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Turned Pro | 2005 |
| Current Role | Youth Coach (Daugavpils) |
| Wife | Santa Rudneva |
| Net Worth | $3 Million – $5 Million (Estimated) |
| Career Earnings | €1,200,000 |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Artjoms Rudņevs started his football journey in his hometown of Daugavpils, Latvia. He began playing for local club Daugava Daugavpils in 2005. He showed great talent as a striker even at a young age.
He scored many goals in the Latvian Higher League and became a key player for his team. His strong performances caught the attention of clubs outside of Latvia.
He moved to Hungary to play for Zalaegerszegi TE (ZTE). This was his first big step into European football. He played very well in Hungary and scored 20 goals in 30 league matches.
This success helped him get a transfer to a bigger club in Poland. His time at ZTE proved that he could score goals in different leagues.
Professional Career
Rudņevs joined Lech Poznań in Poland in 2010. He became a star almost immediately. His most famous moment came in a Europa League match against Juventus. He scored a hat-trick (three goals) against the Italian giants, which made him famous across Europe. He finished the 2011-12 season as the top scorer in the Polish league with 22 goals.
He moved to the German Bundesliga to play for Hamburger SV. He became the first Latvian player to play in the Bundesliga. He had a great first season and scored 12 goals. Later, he played for Hannover 96 on loan and then joined 1. FC Köln.
He surprised everyone when he retired from professional football in 2017 at the age of 29 to focus on his family. In late 2025, reports confirmed he returned to football as a youth coach in his hometown.
Wife
Artjoms Rudņevs is married to Santa Rudneva. They have been together for many years and have a daughter named Arina, who was born around 2011.
The couple faced a difficult public situation in 2015. They had a dispute in Hamburg where Santa reportedly bit Artjoms’ tongue during an argument.
Despite this incident, they stayed together. Artjoms puts his family above everything else. When he retired in 2017, he stated that “personal reasons” were the main cause.
He wanted to support his wife and children. They live a very private life away from social media now.
Artjoms Rudņevs’ Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Artjoms Rudņevs has an estimated net worth of around $3 Million to $5 Million.
Salary
While playing for Hamburger SV, reports suggest he earned a yearly salary between €1.5 million and €2 million. This was his highest-earning period. At Köln, his salary was likely slightly lower but still significant for a Bundesliga professional.
Contract
During his prime years in the Bundesliga, Rudņevs signed lucrative contracts. His move to Hamburger SV involved a transfer fee of about €3.5 million.
He signed a four-year deal with them. Later, he joined 1. FC Köln on a free transfer with a contract that was supposed to run until 2019, but he ended it early.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Estimated Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Hamburger SV | €1,500,000 |
| 2013 | Hamburger SV | €1,500,000 |
| 2014 | Hamburger SV / Hannover 96 | €1,500,000 |
| 2015 | Hamburger SV | €1,500,000 |
| 2016 | 1. FC Köln | €1,200,000 |
| 2017 | 1. FC Köln | €1,200,000 |
Endorsements
Artjoms Rudņevs maintained a relatively low profile off the pitch, which meant he did not accumulate a large portfolio of commercial endorsements compared to other Bundesliga stars.
His primary sponsorship deal was with the German sportswear giant Adidas, which served as his official outfitter and boot supplier during his time at Hamburger SV and 1. FC Köln.
Aside from this technical partnership, Rudņevs rarely appeared in major advertising campaigns or brand collaborations, preferring to keep his focus entirely on football and his private family life.
Career Stats
| Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daugava Daugavpils | Latvia | 75 | 21 |
| Zalaegerszegi TE | Hungary | 30 | 20 |
| Lech Poznań | Poland | 56 | 33 |
| Hamburger SV | Germany | 74 | 15 |
| Hannover 96 | Germany | 16 | 4 |
| 1. FC Köln | Germany | 18 | 3 |
| Latvia National Team | International | 38 | 2 |
| Total Career | All Comps | 303 | 117 |
| |
FAQs
1. Why did Artjoms Rudnevs retire so early?
He retired unexpectedly at age 29. He ended his contract with FC Köln to deal with private family matters and stated he needed to focus entirely on his personal life.
2. Who is Artjoms Rudnevs’ wife?
His wife is Santa Rudneva. They have been married for over a decade. They gained media attention due to a domestic incident, but they remained together and have a daughter.
3. What is Artjoms Rudnevs doing now?
Recent reports from late 2025 indicate that Rudņevs has returned to football. He now works as a youth coach for his boyhood club in Daugavpils, Latvia, after years of privacy.
4. Did Artjoms Rudnevs ever score a hat-trick against Juventus?
Yes, he scored three goals against Juventus in a Europa League match while playing for Lech Poznań. The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw and made him famous.
5. How many goals did Rudnevs score in the Bundesliga?
Artjoms Rudņevs scored a total of 22 goals in the German Bundesliga. He played 108 matches in the league across his spells with Hamburger SV, Hannover 96, and 1. FC Köln.
