Zhivko Zhelev
Encyclopedia
Zhivko Zhelev (born 23 July 1979 in Stara Zagora
) is a Bulgaria
n football defender, currently playing for Slavia Sofia
.
quite young but fought hard to get a place in the first team. He formed a formidable duet with ex-Bulgarian national defender Rosen Kirilov
. However, due to a lack of strikers Zhelev was also used by managers to play as a striker for Litex and scored a lot of goals in this position. He is the defender who has scored the most goals in the whole history of Bulgarian football.
He has been considered one of the favourite players by Litex fans, due to his dedicated and selfless manner of playing, and his loyalty to the club. He has been awarded the title "The best player of Litex" in 2006.
On November 8, 2009, after a game against FC Timişoara, he and his teammate Stoyan Kolev
decided to leave Oţelul because of the financial situation of the club.
swap deal. On 10 January 2010, Steaua signed the Bulgarian centre-back on a free transfer until June 2011.
First match in Liga I for Steaua: 20 February 2010 • Steaua-Ceahlăul
1–3.
First goal in Liga I for Steaua: 25 April 2010 • Steaua-FC Timişoara 3–3.
On June 2010, Steaua has terminated the contract with Zhelev
. Thus, he joins compatriot Petar Zlatinov
in the club squad.
on a free transfer. He made his league debut at the start of the 2011–12 season in a 1–0 defeat to Levski Sofia
on 8 August.
Stara Zagora
Stara Zagora is the sixth largest city in Bulgaria, and a nationally important economic center. Located in Southern Bulgaria, it is the administrative capital of the homonymous Stara Zagora Province...
) is a Bulgaria
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 football defender, currently playing for Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia is a Bulgarian football club founded on 10 April 1913 in Sofia. Slavia's ground is Slavia Stadium with a capacity of 15,992. The team's colours are white and black....
.
Litex
Zhelev joined Litex LovechPFC 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...
quite young but fought hard to get a place in the first team. He formed a formidable duet with ex-Bulgarian national defender Rosen Kirilov
Rosen Kirilov
Rosen Kirilov is a former Bulgarian football player.Kirilov previously played for PFC Litex Lovech in the A PFG....
. However, due to a lack of strikers Zhelev was also used by managers to play as a striker for Litex and scored a lot of goals in this position. He is the defender who has scored the most goals in the whole history of Bulgarian football.
He has been considered one of the favourite players by Litex fans, due to his dedicated and selfless manner of playing, and his loyalty to the club. He has been awarded the title "The best player of Litex" in 2006.
Oţelul
On July 12, 2007, Zhelev joined Romanian club Oţelul Galaţi for a fee of €125.000On November 8, 2009, after a game against FC Timişoara, he and his teammate Stoyan Kolev
Stoyan Kolev
Stoyan Kolev is a Bulgarian football player. He is a reliable goalkeeper who currently plays for PFC Chernomorets Burgas....
decided to leave Oţelul because of the financial situation of the club.
Steaua
On 5 January 2010, Steaua and Oţelul agree Zhelev and OchiroşiiRazvan Ochirosii
Răzvan Iulian Ochiroşii is a Romanian football player, part of the Oţelul Galaţi team, but on loan at Săgeata Năvodari...
swap deal. On 10 January 2010, Steaua signed the Bulgarian centre-back on a free transfer until June 2011.
First match in Liga I for Steaua: 20 February 2010 • Steaua-Ceahlăul
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt
Fotbal Club Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ is a Romanian football club based in Piatra Neamţ, established on October 20, 1919.The club's home ground is Ceahlăul Stadium with a capacity of 18,000 seats...
1–3.
First goal in Liga I for Steaua: 25 April 2010 • Steaua-FC Timişoara 3–3.
On June 2010, Steaua has terminated the contract with Zhelev
Inter Baku
On 25 June 2010, Zhelev signed a one-year deal with the Azerbaijani football club Inter BakuFC Inter Baku
Inter Baku PFC is an Azerbaijani football club based in Baku, that currently plays in Azerbaijan Premier League.Inter Baku is a multi-sports club and competes in football, wrestling, boxing, judo and unifight. The football team won the championship in 2008 and 2010...
. Thus, he joins compatriot Petar Zlatinov
Petar Zlatinov
Petar Zlatinov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Inter Baku as a midfielder.He is left attacking midfielder. Petar started his career in his home town Blagoevgrad, playing for Pirin. Just 18 years old, Zlatinov signed with CSKA Sofia. Between 2003 and 2005 he played for the...
in the club squad.
Slavia Sofia
At the end of the 2010–11 season, Zhelev returned to Bulgaria and joined Slavia SofiaPFC Slavia Sofia
PFC Slavia Sofia is a Bulgarian football club founded on 10 April 1913 in Sofia. Slavia's ground is Slavia Stadium with a capacity of 15,992. The team's colours are white and black....
on a free transfer. He made his league debut at the start of the 2011–12 season in a 1–0 defeat to Levski Sofia
PFC Levski Sofia
"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria...
on 8 August.
Club
Litex LovechPFC 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...
- Bulgarian A PFGBulgarian A Professional Football GroupThe 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...
: 1998–99 - Bulgarian CupBulgarian CupThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
(2): 20012001 Bulgarian Cup FinalThe 2001 Bulgarian Cup Final was played at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Sofia on May 24, 2001 and was contested between the sides of Litex Lovech and Velbazhd Kyustendil. The match was won by Litex Lovech, with Stefan Yurukov scoring the golden goal in the 91st minute.-Match details:...
, 20042004 Bulgarian Cup FinalThe 2004 Bulgarian Cup Final was played at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on May 12, 2004 and was contested between the sides of Litex Lovech and CSKA Sofia. The match was won by Litex Lovech.-Match details:...
External links
- Profile at national-football-teams.com