Zhivko Atanasov (Bulgarian: Живко Атанасов; born 3 February 1991) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Cherno More Varna.
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Zhivko Stanislavov Atanasov | ||
Date of birth | (1991-02-03) 3 February 1991 (age 31) | ||
Place of birth | Gorni Bogrov, Bulgaria | ||
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Centre back | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Cherno More | ||
Number | 3 | ||
Youth career | |||
0000–2010 | 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 | 45 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:08, 13 November 2022 (UTC) |
Atanasov 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]
Atanasov'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.
PFC Cherno More Varna – current squad | |
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