Ivaylo Yordanov
Encyclopedia
Ivaylo Stoimenov Yordanov is a retired Bulgaria
n footballer.
Known for his professional approach to the game, he played mainly as a striker. During his career, he represented mainly Sporting Clube de Portugal.
, Yordanov began his career at local PFC Rilski Sportist
, where he first appeared professionally at not yet 15, moving to FC Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa
in 1989. In the last of his two seasons, he topped the first division
scoring charts, at 21 goals, helping lowly Lokomotiv to a comfortable 9th place.
In 1991–92, Yordanov joined Portuguese League
's Sporting Clube de Portugal, signing alongside compatriot Boncho Genchev — who had been his predecessor at Lokomotiv GO — where he would play in a variety of positions (including central defender, due to injuries to teammates). Persistent injury problems and multiple sclerosis
led to a 2001 retirement, still with the Lisbon
club (he contributed with 11 matches and one goal in the side's league conquest the previous year).
Upon retiring, Yordanov stayed connected with Sporting, in its youth teams. On June 7, 2010, he joined Angel Chervenkov
's staff at PFC Litex Lovech
, as part of the scouting departments.
50 times and scored three goals for the Bulgarian national team
, including seven FIFA World Cup
games, in the 1994
and 1998 editions
.
In the former, in another display of "team-first" attitude – and first discovering his versatile qualities – during the round-of-16 contest with Mexico
(as Bulgaria prevailed in a penalty shootout) he filled in at stopper, due to the absence of Trifon Ivanov (suspension) and Nikolay Iliev
(injury). During the match, he set up Hristo Stoichkov
's goal in the 1–1 draw.
Yordanov would also appear at UEFA Euro 1996, playing all three group stage matches (two complete), as Bulgaria finished third in its group.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n footballer.
Known for his professional approach to the game, he played mainly as a striker. During his career, he represented mainly Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Club career
Born in SamokovSamokov
Samokov is a town in Sofia Province in the southwest of Bulgaria. It is situated in a kettle between the mountains Rila and Vitosha, 55 kilometres from the capital Sofia...
, Yordanov began his career at local PFC Rilski Sportist
PFC Rilski Sportist Samokov
PFC Rilski Sportist are a Bulgarian football club from the town of Samokov founded in 1947 and currently playing in Bulgarian second division. Their home stadium is Iskar Stadium.- History :...
, where he first appeared professionally at not yet 15, moving to FC Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa
FC Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa
FC Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa, currently playing in the Bulgarian North-West V AFG, the third-level division of Bulgarian football. The club plays its home matches at the Lokomotiv Stadium which has a capacity of 12,000. Club colours...
in 1989. In the last of his two seasons, he topped the first division
Bulgarian A Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian A Professional Football Group commonly known as A PFG is the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The league is sponsored by Victoria FATA Insurance and therefore is officially known as Victoria A Football Group since 2011...
scoring charts, at 21 goals, helping lowly Lokomotiv to a comfortable 9th place.
In 1991–92, Yordanov joined Portuguese League
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
's Sporting Clube de Portugal, signing alongside compatriot Boncho Genchev — who had been his predecessor at Lokomotiv GO — where he would play in a variety of positions (including central defender, due to injuries to teammates). Persistent injury problems and multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
led to a 2001 retirement, still with the Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
club (he contributed with 11 matches and one goal in the side's league conquest the previous year).
Upon retiring, Yordanov stayed connected with Sporting, in its youth teams. On June 7, 2010, he joined Angel Chervenkov
Angel Chervenkov
Angel Chervenkov is a Bulgarian former footballer.-As a player:As a footballer, Chervenkov played as a defender for Tundzha Yambol , Armeets Sofia , CSKA Sofia , Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa , Etar Veliko Tarnovo and Montana...
's staff at PFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
, as part of the scouting departments.
International career
Yordanov was cappedCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
50 times and scored three goals for the Bulgarian national team
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
, including seven FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
games, in the 1994
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
and 1998 editions
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
.
In the former, in another display of "team-first" attitude – and first discovering his versatile qualities – during the round-of-16 contest with Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
(as Bulgaria prevailed in a penalty shootout) he filled in at stopper, due to the absence of Trifon Ivanov (suspension) and Nikolay Iliev
Nikolay Iliev
Nikolay Iliev is a Bulgarian former football player. He was part of the Bulgarian national team that reached the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup. He also had a successful spell with Bologna in Serie A in the late 80s and early 90s....
(injury). During the match, he set up Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov , sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger , The Dog , The Modern Left...
's goal in the 1–1 draw.
Yordanov would also appear at UEFA Euro 1996, playing all three group stage matches (two complete), as Bulgaria finished third in its group.
Honours
- Portuguese LeaguePortuguese LigaThe Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
: 1999–2000 - Portuguese CupTaça de PortugalThe Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
: 1994–95