Zhivko_Atanasov References

Zhivko Atanasov
Personal information
Full name	Zhivko Stanislavov Atanasov
Date of birth	3 February 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Gorni Bogrov, Bulgaria
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Cherno More
Number	3
Youth career
0000–2010	Levski Sofia
Senior career*
Years	Team
2010–2012	Levski Sofia
2010–2011	→ Chavdar BS (loan)
2011	→ Septemvri Simitli (loan)
2012–2015	Cherno More
2015	Slavia Sofia
2016–2017	Juve Stabia
2017–2019	Viterbese
2020	Catanzaro
2020–2021	Levski Sofia
2021–	Cherno More
International career‡
2023–	Bulgaria
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:08, 14 April 2024 (UTC); ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:58, 25 March 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

As of match played 25 March 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps
Bulgaria	2023	2
Bulgaria	2024	2
Total		4

Honours

Club

Cherno More

Bulgarian Cup: 2014–15

References

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

External links

Zhivko Atanasov at Soccerway

[1] "Профил на Живко Станиславов Атанасов" (in Bulgarian). fpleague.bg. Retrieved 4 September 2022.

[2] "Живко Атанасов пред договор с Черно море" (in Bulgarian). football24.bg. Retrieved 6 February 2012.

[3] "Черно море спря селекцията с левскар" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 17 February 2012.

[4] "Il difensore Atanasov in giallorosso" (Press release) (in Italian). Catanzaro. 16 January 2020.

[5] "Левски подписа с Живко Атанасов". levski.bg (in Bulgarian). 4 August 2020.

[6] Georgiev, Mihail (16 November 2023). "България - Унгария 2:2 (Развой на срещата по минути)" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 18 November 2023.

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