Zhivko Atanasov (Bulgarian: Живко Атанасов; born 3 February 1991) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Cherno More Varna and the Bulgaria national team.
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Zhivko Stanislavov Atanasov | ||
Date of birth | 3 February 1991 | ||
Place of birth | Gorni Bogrov, Bulgaria | ||
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Centre back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Cherno More | ||
Number | 3 | ||
Youth career | |||
–2010 | Levski Sofia | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2010–2012 | Levski Sofia | 0 | (0) |
2010–2011 | → Chavdar BS (loan) | 35 | (0) |
2011 | → Septemvri Simitli (loan) | 11 | (0) |
2012–2015 | Cherno More | 73 | (2) |
2015 | Slavia Sofia | 8 | (0) |
2016–2017 | Juve Stabia | 26 | (1) |
2017–2019 | Viterbese | 68 | (6) |
2020 | Catanzaro | 10 | (0) |
2020–2021 | Levski Sofia | 30 | (4) |
2021– | Cherno More | 96 | (6) |
International career‡ | |||
2023– | Bulgaria | 6 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:08, 6 August 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:44, 8 June 2024 (UTC) |
Career
editAtanasov began his career with Levski Sofia.
In the winter of 2012, Atanasov impressed Cherno More manager Stefan Genov as a trialist during Cherno More's training camp in Turkey.[2] On 17 February 2012, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.[3] Atanasov made his debut on 4 March, starting against Levski Sofia at Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in an A Group fixture, playing the full 90 minutes at centre-back in a 2–1 defeat. He scored his first Cherno More goal on 18 April, opening the scoring in a 7–1 home win over Kaliakra Kavarna.
When Aleksandar Aleksandrov was transferred in January 2014, Atanasov formed a partnership with Kiril Kotev in the centre of defence and has become an established first team player.
On 16 January 2020 he signed a 1.5-year contract with Serie C side Catanzaro.[4]
On 4 August 2020, Atanasov returned to his boyhood club Levski Sofia on a 2-year deal.[5]
On 16 November 2023, he earned his first cap for the national team after coming on as a late first half substitute for Ivaylo Chochev in the 2:2 home draw with Hungary in a Euro 2024 qualifier.[6]
Family
editAtanasov's mother, Yordanka Donkova, is a former hurdling athlete notable for winning an Olympic gold medal and bronze medal as well as 9 medals at European indoor and outdoor championships.
Career statistics
editInternational
edit- As of match played 8 June 2024
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Bulgaria | 2023 | 2 | 0 |
2024 | 4 | 0 | |
Total | 6 | 0 |
Honours
editClub
edit- Cherno More
References
edit- ^ "Профил на Живко Станиславов Атанасов" (in Bulgarian). fpleague.bg. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ "Живко Атанасов пред договор с Черно море" (in Bulgarian). football24.bg. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ^ "Черно море спря селекцията с левскар" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "Il difensore Atanasov in giallorosso" (Press release) (in Italian). Catanzaro. 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Левски подписа с Живко Атанасов". levski.bg (in Bulgarian). 4 August 2020.
- ^ Georgiev, Mihail (16 November 2023). "България - Унгария 2:2 (Развой на срещата по минути)" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
External links
edit- Zhivko Atanasov at Soccerway