Zdravko Stoyanov Zdravkov (Bulgarian: Здравко Стоянов Здравков; born 4 October 1970 in Sofia) is a former Bulgarian football goalkeeper. He ended his career at the end of 2006–07 season.

Zdravko Zdravkov
Zdravkov in 2011
Personal information
Full name Zdravko Stoyanov Zdravkov
Date of birth (1970-10-04) October 4, 1970 (age 53)
Place of birth Sofia, Bulgaria
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Bulgaria (goalkeeping coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1993 Levski Sofia 64 (0)
1993–1994 Etar Veliko Tarnovo 19 (0)
1994–1995 Levski Sofia 11 (0)
1995–1997 Slavia Sofia 62 (0)
1997–1999 İstanbulspor 47 (0)
1999–2000 Adanaspor 24 (0)
2000–2002 İstanbulspor 55 (0)
2002 Cherno More 12 (0)
2003 İstanbulspor 18 (0)
2004 Litex Lovech 14 (0)
2004–2007 Çaykur Rizespor 93 (0)
Total 419 (0)
International career
1996–2005 Bulgaria 70 (0)
Managerial career
2012–2013 Levski Sofia (assistant)
2013–2014 Slavia Sofia (assistant)
2015 Interclube (goalkeeping coach)
2016–2018 Hangzhou Greentown (goalkeeping coach)
2017 Hangzhou Greentown (caretaker)
2019–2023 Ludogorets Razgrad (goalkeeping coach)
2023– Bulgaria (goalkeeping coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

On the club level, Zdravkov has played for Levski Sofia (1989–1995), Istanbulspor (1997–1999 and 2000–2002), Adanaspor (1999–2000), Cherno More (2002–2003), Litex Lovech (2003–2004) and Çaykur Rizespor (2004–2007).

December 2002 until January 2003, Zdravkov spent a trial period with Arsenal F.C., but did not eventually sign with the then-reigning FA Premier League champions.[1][2]

International career edit

For Bulgaria, Zdravkov has been capped 70 times. He made his debut on 24 April 1996, against Slovakia in Trnava.[3] He was the starting goalkeeper for his country at the Euro 1996, 1998 World Cup and Euro 2004, succeeding Borislav Mihaylov as the custodian of the Bulgarian team.[4]

Halfway through the France World Cup in 1998, with Bulgaria having played two games (0–0 against Paraguay and a 0–1 loss to Nigeria), Zdravkov was ranked as the 2nd best goalkeeper in form. Although he went on to concede 6 goals in Bulgaria's loss to Spain in the next game, Zdravkov was an exceptional performer at the World Cup.

Six years later, at UEFA Euro 2004, Zdravkov's age began to show, Bulgaria lost 0–5 to Sweden, 0–2 to Denmark and 1–2 to Italy, and this was to be Zdravkov's final tournament as national team goalkeeper.

Personal edit

Zdravkov participated in the third season of Survivor BG, in Panama, but was evacuated due to serious health problems.[5] He is married to Irena and they have three sons - Ivan, Yoan and Pavel.[3]

Honours edit

Club edit

Levski Sofia
Slavia Sofia
Litex Lovech

References edit

  1. ^ "Arsenal told to hurry Zdravkov decision". Sky Sports.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "International Roundup". Sports Illustrated. January 11, 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Angelov, Angel (October 10, 2002). "Здравков - трагичният герой на съдбата. Три големи загуби не го прекършиха, мечтата му е да играе в Англия" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "Former Bulgaria Keeper Zdravkov Retires End-Season". Novinite. March 18, 2007.
  5. ^ "И Здравко Здравков от "Сървайвър 3" е бил на ръба" (in Bulgarian). Razkritia.com. July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012.

External links edit