Iliyan Kiryakov Explained

Iliyan Kiryakov
Fullname:Iliyan Ivanov Kiryakov
Birth Date:1967 8, df=yes
Birth Place:, Bulgaria
Height:1.65 m
Position:Full-back, centre-back
Youthyears1:1979–1986
Youthclubs1:Etar Veliko Tarnovo
Years1:1986–1991
Clubs1:Etar Veliko Tarnovo
Caps1:148
Goals1:14
Years2:1991–1993
Clubs2:Deportivo La Coruña
Caps2:39
Goals2:3
Years3:1993–1994
Clubs3:Mérida
Caps3:16
Goals3:0
Years4:1994
Clubs4:Etar Veliko Tarnovo
Caps4:8
Goals4:3
Years5:1994–1995
Clubs5:CSKA Sofia
Caps5:18
Goals5:0
Years6:1995–1996
Clubs6:Anorthosis
Caps6:19
Goals6:8
Years7:1996–2000
Clubs7:Aberdeen
Caps7:72
Goals7:1
Years8:2000
Clubs8:Airdrieonians
Caps8:6
Goals8:0
Years9:2001
Clubs9:Raith Rovers
Caps9:17
Goals9:1
Years10:2001–2002
Clubs10:Akademik Svishtov
Caps10:12
Goals10:0
Years11:2002–2003
Clubs11:Etar 1924
Caps11:28
Goals11:5
Years12:2004
Clubs12:Chumerna Elena
Caps12:15
Goals12:2
Years13:2004–2005
Clubs13:CSKA Lesicheri
Caps13:31
Goals13:8
Years14:2005–2006
Clubs14:Rositsa Polikraishte
Caps14:24
Goals14:5
Years15:2006–2007
Clubs15:Yantra 2002
Caps15:17
Goals15:6
Totalcaps:454
Totalgoals:54
Nationalyears1:1984–1986
Nationalteam1:Bulgaria U19
Nationalcaps1:24
Nationalgoals1:8
Nationalyears2:1986–1987
Nationalteam2:Bulgaria U21
Nationalcaps2:37
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:1988–1996
Nationalteam3:Bulgaria
Nationalcaps3:56
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:2016
Managerclubs1:Etar Veliko Tarnovo (interim)
Manageryears2:2018
Managerclubs2:Etar Veliko Tarnovo

Iliyan Ivanov Kiryakov (Bulgarian: Илиян Иванов Киряков; born 4 August 1967) is a Bulgarian former professional footballer who played as a defender. A versatile player, he could be deployed as a full-back on either flank, or as a centre-back.

During a professional career which spanned nearly 20 years, he played for nine different clubs, including three in Scotland.

Kiryakov won 56 caps for Bulgaria and represented the nation at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1996.

Club career

Kiryakov was born in the small town of Lesicheri. In his country, he represented Etar Veliko Tarnovo and PFC CSKA Sofia. In 1991, he moved abroad, signing with Deportivo de La Coruña. In his first season, he was first-choice (only missed three La Liga matches) but the Galicians barely avoided relegation, as 17th; subsequently, as Super Depor came to fruition, he became a fringe player and left.

Kiryakov continued in Spain for 1993–94, playing in the Segunda División with CP Mérida. He then returned to his country for one more year, with PFC CSKA Sofia, signing in the 1995 summer with Cyprus club Anorthosis Famagusta FC.

Kiryakov spent the following five years in Scotland, playing for Aberdeen (scoring once against Dundee United[1]), Airdrieonians (only five months[2]) and Raith Rovers.[3] He finished his career in June 2003 at nearly 36: after a brief spell with lowly Akademik Svishtov, he retired at Etar, his first club.

A year later he returned to play for the amateur club Chumerna Elena. Same year he joined his birth city club CSKA Lesicheri in the regional divisions, then moved to other regional club Rositsa Polikraishte, before retiring again in Yantra 2002.

International career

During eight years, Kiryakov played 53 times for Bulgaria, scoring five goals.

He appeared in six matches in the 1994 FIFA World Cup (four complete) as the national side finished in fourth position, and was also picked for the squad at UEFA Euro 1996, where he played in the group stage 1–1 draw against Spain.

Career statistics

[4]

ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aberdeen1996-97SPL271203060381
1997-98150100000160
1998-99220102000250
1999-008000100090
Total721406060881

Honours

Etar Veliko Tarnovo

Bulgaria

Notes and References

  1. News: Aberdeen 3 - 3 Dundee Utd. worldfootball.net. 16 May 2017.
  2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/airdrieonians/891568.stm Archibald plans Kiriakov swoop
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/raith_rovers/1192145.stm Rovers return for Dennis
  4. Web site: Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile . 2023-03-26 . afcheritage.org.