Ivan Tsvetkov
Encyclopedia
Ivan Tsvetkov (born 31 August 1979 in Blagoevgrad
) is an ethnically Bulgarian born Dutch
footballer
, who plays as a forward for Levski Sofia
.
, Tsvetkov took up football with local side Pirin
. At the age of 18, he joined Dutch
SC Heerenveen's youth academy. In 1998 Tsvetkov started his senior career and during his two seasons at Abe Lenstra Stadion
, he scored 2 goals in 16 matches.
In summer of 2000, Tsvetkov joined BV Veendam
. After 18 goals in his first season, he was named as the Eerste Divisie
top scorer at the close of the following 2001–02 season with a total of 22 goals in the league.
In July 2002, Tsvetkov transferred to Zwolle
after Veendam
accepted an undisclosed bid. He spent two years at Zwolle
, where he capped 41 times and scored 1 goal, before moved to Helmond Sport
.
In January 2007 after making 41 appearances for Sparta Rotterdam
, Tsvetkov was transferred to Turkish side Sivasspor
. He scored his first Süper Lig hat-trick
on 30 March 2007, scoring four in a 4–0 win over Kasımpaşa
.
On 27 August 2008, Tsvetkov signed for Azerbaijani
club Khazar Lankaran. During that season, Ivan became a topscorer of his team, scoring 15 goals, and the second goalscorer of the league.
on a rolling contract until the end of the season. On 2 April, in a 3–0 home victory over Montana
, he netted his first goal in an A PFG match and assisted Krum Bibishkov
and Anton Karachanakov
. Four days later Tsvetkov scored his first Bulgarian Cup
goal as he netted the first in a 2–1 away victory over Lokomotiv Plovdiv
. He continued his goal scoring form on 30 April, scoring the opening goal in the 2–0 home win over Beroe
. On 4 May Ivan scored twice in a 2-3 home defeat to Levski Sofia
. Tsvetkov's 5th Pirin league goal came during a 2-2 away draw against Lokomotiv Plovdiv
on 7 May. On 14 May, he scored the fifth goal of a 6–0 home victory over Akademik Sofia. Four days later, Tsvetkov scored Pirin's second in a 2–2 away draw against CSKA Sofia
. On 21 May, he netted from a free-kick in a 1-1 home draw against Chernomorets Burgas, securing Pirin's place in the top flight for the next season.
.
On 2 July 2011, he made his unofficial debut and netted the only goal in the 1:0 win against Loko Sofia in an exhibition match, which marked the end of former Bulgarian international Georgi Markov
's professional football career. His official debut for Levski came on 28 July 2011 - he played the full 90 minutes in the 2:1 win over Slovak
side FC Spartak Trnava
in a UEFA Europa League match. On 8 August 2011, in his first A PFG match for Levski, he scored the only goal in the 1:0 win against Slavia Sofia. On 28 October 2011, Tsvetkov made his first appearance in The Eternal Derby
of Bulgaria, coming on as a late substitute in the 0:1 loss against CSKA Sofia. On 23 November 2011, he scored the only goal for Levski in the 1:0 win over FC Bansko
in a 2011–12 Bulgarian Cup
match.
citizenship. In 2003, Tsvetkov was forced to give up his Bulgaria
n citizenship in order to acquire a Dutch
passport. He recently expressed a wish to regain his Bulgarian citizenship, but was taken aback due to the complicated procedures that had to be followed and eventually decided against it.
Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
) is an ethnically Bulgarian born Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, who plays as a forward for 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...
.
Career
Born in BlagoevgradBlagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is а city in southwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Blagoevgrad Province, with a population of about 74,302 . It lies on the banks of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River....
, Tsvetkov took up football with local side Pirin
FC Pirin Blagoevgrad
FC Pirin Blagoevgrad is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Blagoevgrad, which currently competes in the Bulgarian fourth division.The club was founded in 2008, after the union of the two clubs from Blagoevgrad - Pirin and PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad...
. At the age of 18, he joined Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
SC Heerenveen's youth academy. In 1998 Tsvetkov started his senior career and during his two seasons at Abe Lenstra Stadion
Abe Lenstra Stadion
Abe Lenstra Stadion is a football stadium in Heerenveen, Netherlands. It is currently used mostly for the home matches of Eredivisie club Heerenveen.The current capacity is 26,000.-The name Abe Lenstra Stadion:...
, he scored 2 goals in 16 matches.
In summer of 2000, Tsvetkov joined BV Veendam
BV Veendam
SC Veendam is a Dutch football club based in Veendam, Groningen province, playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands. The club's official colours are black and yellow.- History :...
. After 18 goals in his first season, he was named as the Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
top scorer at the close of the following 2001–02 season with a total of 22 goals in the league.
In July 2002, Tsvetkov transferred to Zwolle
FC Zwolle
FC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the country's second level of professional club football. The club was founded in 1990 after the bankruptcy of PEC. They have played in the Eredivisie, the highest tier of Dutch football, for a total of...
after Veendam
BV Veendam
SC Veendam is a Dutch football club based in Veendam, Groningen province, playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands. The club's official colours are black and yellow.- History :...
accepted an undisclosed bid. He spent two years at Zwolle
FC Zwolle
FC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the country's second level of professional club football. The club was founded in 1990 after the bankruptcy of PEC. They have played in the Eredivisie, the highest tier of Dutch football, for a total of...
, where he capped 41 times and scored 1 goal, before moved to Helmond Sport
Helmond Sport
Helmond Sport is a Dutch football club, playing in the Dutch Eerste Divisie and located in Helmond, Noord-Brabant. The club was founded on July 27, 1967, as a breakaway from the local professional club Helmondia '55, which had gone bankrupt.-History:...
.
In January 2007 after making 41 appearances for Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
, Tsvetkov was transferred to Turkish side Sivasspor
Sivasspor
Sivasspor is a Turkish sports club based in Sivas, Turkey formed in the year 1967. They play in the Turkish Süper Lig. Their manager is currently Riza Calimbay. They finished 15th in the 2010–11 Süper Lig. Their current captain is Hayrettin Yerlikaya....
. He scored his first Süper Lig hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
on 30 March 2007, scoring four in a 4–0 win over Kasımpaşa
Kasimpasa S.K.
Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü is a Turkish football club located in Istanbul, Turkey. They play their home games in the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. The club was founded in 1921 as Altıntuğ. They played in the Istanbul First League between 1939–1945 and 1946–1959. The club was promoted to the Turkish...
.
On 27 August 2008, Tsvetkov signed for Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
club Khazar Lankaran. During that season, Ivan became a topscorer of his team, scoring 15 goals, and the second goalscorer of the league.
Return to Pirin
On 4 March 2011, Tsvetkov returned to Bulgaria and signed for Pirin BlagoevgradFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
FC Pirin Blagoevgrad is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Blagoevgrad, which currently competes in the Bulgarian fourth division.The club was founded in 2008, after the union of the two clubs from Blagoevgrad - Pirin and PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad...
on a rolling contract until the end of the season. On 2 April, in a 3–0 home victory over Montana
PFC Montana
PFC Montana is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Montana, currently playing in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football....
, he netted his first goal in an A PFG match and assisted Krum Bibishkov
Krum Bibishkov
Krum Bibishkov is a Bulgarian football forward, who currently plays for Minyor Pernik.-Career:...
and Anton Karachanakov
Anton Karachanakov
Anton Karachanakov is a Bulgarian footballer, who currently plays as a midfielder for CSKA Sofia.-External links:**...
. Four days later Tsvetkov scored his first Bulgarian Cup
Bulgarian Cup
The 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....
goal as he netted the first in a 2–1 away victory over Lokomotiv Plovdiv
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv is a Bulgarian football club from the city of Plovdiv, which competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. The club was founded on July 25, 1926 when two of the oldest Plovdiv clubs - Atletic and Karadzha united into a new club named Sports Club Plovdiv...
. He continued his goal scoring form on 30 April, scoring the opening goal in the 2–0 home win over Beroe
PFC Beroe Stara Zagora
PFC Beroe Stara Zagora or simply Beroe is a Bulgarian football club from Stara Zagora, that currently plays in the country's top division, the A PFG....
. On 4 May Ivan scored twice in a 2-3 home 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...
. Tsvetkov's 5th Pirin league goal came during a 2-2 away draw against Lokomotiv Plovdiv
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv is a Bulgarian football club from the city of Plovdiv, which competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. The club was founded on July 25, 1926 when two of the oldest Plovdiv clubs - Atletic and Karadzha united into a new club named Sports Club Plovdiv...
on 7 May. On 14 May, he scored the fifth goal of a 6–0 home victory over Akademik Sofia. Four days later, Tsvetkov scored Pirin's second in a 2–2 away draw against CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia
PFC CSKA Sofia , commonly known as CSKA or CSKA Sofia is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club was officially founded on May 5, 1948. CSKA's abbreviation stands for Central Sports Club of the Army...
. On 21 May, he netted from a free-kick in a 1-1 home draw against Chernomorets Burgas, securing Pirin's place in the top flight for the next season.
Levski Sofia
In June 2011, Tsvetkov signed for Levski SofiaPFC 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 2 July 2011, he made his unofficial debut and netted the only goal in the 1:0 win against Loko Sofia in an exhibition match, which marked the end of former Bulgarian international Georgi Markov
Georgi Markov (footballer)
Georgi Markov is a former Bulgarian football defender. He is known as a tough, but generally fair tackler and has been nicknamed the "Woerner Grater" .-Career:...
's professional football career. His official debut for Levski came on 28 July 2011 - he played the full 90 minutes in the 2:1 win over Slovak
Slovak
Slovak may refer to:* Related to, from, or belonging to the country of Slovakia* Slovaks, An ethnic sub-group of the Western Slavic people inhabiting the nation of Slovakia.* Slovak language...
side FC Spartak Trnava
FC Spartak Trnava
FC Spartak Trnava is a Slovak football club based in Trnava, Slovakia. Historically it is one of the most successful clubs in Slovakia, having won the Czechoslovak First League and the Czechoslovak Cup five times, and reaching semifinal of European Cup once and quarterfinal twice. The club plays...
in a UEFA Europa League match. On 8 August 2011, in his first A PFG match for Levski, he scored the only goal in the 1:0 win against Slavia Sofia. On 28 October 2011, Tsvetkov made his first appearance in The Eternal Derby
The Eternal Derby
The Eternal Derby of Bulgarian Football or simply The Eternal Derby is the name of the local derby football match between the two most popular and successful football clubs in Sofia and Bulgaria - PFC Levski Sofia and PFC CSKA Sofia...
of Bulgaria, coming on as a late substitute in the 0:1 loss against CSKA Sofia. On 23 November 2011, he scored the only goal for Levski in the 1:0 win over FC Bansko
FC Bansko
FC Bansko is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Bansko, currently playing in the West B PFG, the second division of Bulgarian football. Its home matches take place at the Saint Petar Stadium....
in a 2011–12 Bulgarian Cup
2011–12 Bulgarian Cup
The 2011–12 Bulgarian Cup is the ninetieth official season of the Bulgarian annual football knockout tournament. The competition will begin in September 2011 with the matches of the Preliminary Round and end with the final in May 2012...
match.
Personal life
He holds DutchNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
citizenship. In 2003, Tsvetkov was forced to give up his 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 citizenship in order to acquire a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
passport. He recently expressed a wish to regain his Bulgarian citizenship, but was taken aback due to the complicated procedures that had to be followed and eventually decided against it.