Zhivko Atanasov Explained

Zhivko Atanasov
Fullname:Zhivko Stanislavov Atanasov
Birth Date:3 February 1991
Birth Place:Gorni Bogrov, Bulgaria
Height:[1]
Currentclub:Cherno More
Clubnumber:3
Position:Centre back
Youthyears1:–2010
Youthclubs1:Levski Sofia
Years1:2010–2012
Clubs1:Levski Sofia
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2010–2011
Clubs2:Chavdar BS (loan)
Caps2:35
Goals2:0
Years3:2011
Clubs3:Septemvri Simitli (loan)
Caps3:11
Goals3:0
Years4:2012–2015
Clubs4:Cherno More
Caps4:73
Goals4:2
Years5:2015
Clubs5:Slavia Sofia
Caps5:8
Goals5:0
Years6:2016–2017
Clubs6:Juve Stabia
Caps6:26
Goals6:1
Years7:2017–2019
Clubs7:Viterbese
Caps7:68
Goals7:6
Years8:2020
Clubs8:Catanzaro
Caps8:10
Goals8:0
Years9:2020–2021
Clubs9:Levski Sofia
Caps9:30
Goals9:4
Years10:2021–
Clubs10:Cherno More
Caps10:96
Goals10:6
Nationalyears1:2023–
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:19:08, 6 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23:44, 8 June 2024 (UTC)

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.

Career

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]

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

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.

Career statistics

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Bulgaria202320
202440
Total60

Honours

Club

Cherno More

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Профил на Живко Станиславов Атанасов. bg. fpleague.bg. 4 September 2022.
  2. Web site: Живко Атанасов пред договор с Черно море. football24.bg. 6 February 2012. bg.
  3. Web site: Черно море спря селекцията с левскар. topsport.bg. 17 February 2012. bg.
  4. Catanzaro. Il difensore Atanasov in giallorosso. 16 January 2020. it.
  5. Web site: Левски подписа с Живко Атанасов. levski.bg. bg. 4 August 2020.
  6. Web site: България - Унгария 2:2 (Развой на срещата по минути). Georgiev, Mihail. topsport.bg. 16 November 2023. 18 November 2023. Bulgarian.