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1.
Name: Stilian Petrov
Current club: Celtic FC
Former clubs: Montana, CSKA Sofia
Position: Midfielder
Age: 20
Comments: Probably the greatest talent of Bulgarian football since the generation of Stoichkov,
Kostadinov and Letchkov. Came to CSKA Sofia at the age of 16 after a successful
spell at Montana. Manager Dimiter Penev counted on him as a defensive midfielder,
and the debut for the national side came after a great 98/99 season. The Celtic
scouts spotted him at the Bulgaria - England (1:1) qualifier and he signed for
the Scottish team for a Bulgarian record sum of about $5 million. Has been a
consistent titular at the Celtic and Bulgaria teams and under Martin O'Neill
has scored many vital goals.
2.
Name: Dimiter Berbatov
Current club: CSKA Sofia
Former clubs: Pirin
Position: Striker
Age: 19
Comments: Berbatov, whose father once played as central defender for Pirin, became the
first-choice striker for CSKA in no time. Being one of the top goal-scorers
of last season's campaign, he missed a couple of good chances against arch-rivals
Levski and Lovech and was declared crap. Scored seven goals in two games against
Constructorul in the UEFA Cup and was signed by German Bayer 04 Leverkusen with
contract starting January 1st. Equalized for Bulgaria against Denmark in the
World Cup qualifier in Coppenhagen.
3.
Name: Martin Petrov
Current club: Servette Geneve
Former clubs: Botev Vratsa, CSKA Sofia
Position: Left winger
Age: 20
Comments: Martin came to CSKA at the same time that Stilian Petrov of Celtic made his
first steps. Brought into the team by Dimiter Penev, Petrov, dubbed the "new
Stoichkov" because of his speed, aggression and tremendous left-footed shot,
scored many goals for CSKA and was bought by Servette. Has been a transfer target
of Paris SG and NK Dinamo Zagreb.
4.
Name: Hristo Yanev
Current club: CSKA Sofia
Former clubs: Beroe
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Comments: Yanev came to the Sofia giants during the summer, being known as Beroe's greatest
talents. No one expected him to find a place in the starting line-up, but he
has done so in a spectacular style, scoring vital goals, including two in the
UEFA Cup. Star of the U-21 team, has tremendous speed and strong shooting.
5.
Name: Krum Bibishkov
Current club: Levski Sofia
Former clubs: Pirin, FC Bayern Munich
Position: Attacker
Age: 18
Comments: His name first occupied the headlines when he scored twice for Pirin against
favorites Levski in a friendly, when he was only 16 years old. German giants
Bayern sent a scout to watch Krum play, and he was bought for $500 000. After
an year and a half at Bayern however, he was not given a chance in the first
team and returned to Bulgaria, scoring on his debut for Levski.
6.
Name: Todor Kolev
Current club: Spartak Pleven
Former clubs: Etar, Levski Sofia
Position: Striker
Age: 19
Comments: Kolev's controversial transfer from Etar to Levski surprised the country as
the Sofia team payed big money for the youngster. He did not fit into the Levski
tactics and was loaned to Spartak, where he scored 14 goals in four games. Main
striker of the U-21 national side, his comeback to Levski during the winter
is more than guaranteed.
7.
Name: Emil Gurgorov
Current club: Lokomotiv Sofia
Previous clubs: none
Position: Midfielder
Age: 18
Comments: Gurgorov compensates for his small height(165 cm) with enormous speed, strong
shot and incredible influence on the teammates. Plays first-team football for
Bulgaria U-21s as well as Lokomotiv. Has been a transfer target for many teams,
but prefers to stay at Lokomotiv.
8.
Name: Aleksander Tomash
Current club: CSKA Sofia
Former clubs: none
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Comments: The defender got into the CSKA team at the age of 16, but rarely played a game
until the beginning of the 99/00 season. Can be used both as a left back and
a sweeper. Played in all 30 championship games last season and was voted best
CSKA player. Made his Bulgaria debut against Belgium in a friendly and has been
on the bench ever since.
9.
Name: Asen Bukarev
Current club: CSKA Sofia
Former clubs: none
Position: Striker
Age: 20
Comments: Another great product of the CSKA Youth Academy. Was first introduced in the
squad at the beginning of the 98/99 season, when he came on as a sub against
Molde in the UEFA Cup and hit the bar with a spectacular overhead kick. Has
been a regular substitution for Berbatov, but that hasn't prevented him of scoring
goals and being the captain of the U-21 side.
10.
Name: Aleksander Mladenov
Current club: Hertha Berlin BSC
Former clubs: CSKA Sofia
Position: Offensive midfielder
Age: 17
Comments: Aleksander, son of the Bulgaria national team manager Stoicho Mladenov, has
participated in all the youth sections at CSKA. He was sold to Hertha Berlin
an year ago, but hasn't been able to get into the first team. The skillful youngster
will most probably return to CSKA during the winter.
Hristo Zapryanov
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