Čeferin was widely expected to stand to replace disgraced former President Michel Platini, who is serving a six-year ban for a series of ethics breaches.

UEFA announced last month that the Presidential election, where the 55 Member Associations will elect the Frenchman’s successor, will be held at its Congress in Athens on September 14.

Čeferin’s candidacy was officially confirmed today and has already received a boost after Russian Sports Minister and FIFA Council member Vitaly Mutko, who also heads the Russian Football Union, told TASS his nation would support Čeferin in his campaign.

It followed a meeting of the Southeast Football Associations - made up of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Turkey - which took place today in Moscow.

"Almost all" 13 attendees pledged to back the Slovenian in his bid for the top job at UEFA, according to Mutko.

The Federations in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland have also got behind the Slovenian, as have Italy.

“During the meeting we discussed the situation with the UEFA Presidential Election and whose candidacy should be supported," Mutko told TASS.

"Almost all participating countries, including Russia, endorsed the candidacy of the Football Association of Slovenia’s President."

In announcing his candidacy, Čeferin claimed UEFA needed to reform in a similar vein to scandal-hit FIFA and also hopes to work closely with Gianni Infantino, who has endured a tumultuous start to his reign at the helm of world football’s governing body since his election in February.

“UEFA is a good organisation, we cannot say that UEFA is not a good organisation and that it needs a complete change," he told TASS.

"But it needs many changes and I will tell more in the future.

“I have prepared some things but I think I have to speak to all the shareholders and adjust everything.

“I trust Gianni Infantino and his team and I know that he didn’t have much time to change things.

“He still has time, he’s there for a few months and I trust him completely and I think that UEFA should work closely with FIFA.”

The 48-year-old lawyer, who has led the NZS for five years, joins Dutch Football Association head Michael Van Praag in declaring his interest for the UEFA Presidency.

Acting chief Angel Maria Villar of Spain, who is also a FIFA vice-president, is also likely to stand for the position.

Any interested applicants have until July 20 to confirm their intention to enter the race.

The next UEFA President will complete Platini's term, due to come to an end in 2019.