Born in
Sochi,
Russia, Lediakhov started playing professionally with modest
FC SKA Rostov-on-Don. In 1990, he joined
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. After impressing with
FC Rotor Volgograd, Lediakhov was bought by
Soviet Union giants
FC Spartak Moscow, being essential as the
capital team conquered three consecutive
league titles, which included
the inaugural edition of the competition, as the player scored in double digits in two of the three seasons. In the 1994 summer, 26-year-old Lediakhov moved abroad, signing with Spain's
Sporting de Gijón. Even though he netted nearly 50 overall goals for the club (17 in four
La Liga seasons) whilst showcasing good offensive skills, his eight-year-old stay in
Asturias was an inconsistent one, marred by irregular performances and disciplinary problems: he received a six-match ban after a 22 February 2000 match at
Albacete Balompié, after assaulting an opponent then repeatedly pushing
referee Téllez Sánchez after receiving his
marching orders. At the club, he teamed up with compatriots
Dmitri Cheryshev (five seasons),
Yuri Nikiforov (two) and
Alexei Kosolapov (one). Lediakhov also spent a few months in
Japan (loaned by Sporting and coinciding with
Paulo Futre), after which he returned – with the club now in the
second level – having further disciplinary problems which led to a suspension. He eventually bought out his contract and retired in 2003 at the age of 35, after
one season with
SD Eibar also in division two. ==International career==