Nikolay Bozhov
Encyclopedia
Nikolay Bozhov is a Bulgaria
n football
forward who currently plays for Slavia Sofia
.
's academy. At the age of 17, he retired from football because of a waist injury. Bozhov's father died soon after Bozhov finished his compulsory military service
, so he had to take charge of his father's ironmonger's shop. The business quickly developed and the shop soon grew to a full-fledged enterprise. Bozhov imported goods from China
and supplied local wholesale dealers. At the time, Bozhov did not even consider a return to football, as his business provided a good source of income and his waist problems continued.
, coming on as a substitute for Troyan Radulov
. In the next week he scored his first goal for a 2–1 away win against Velbazhd Kyustendil
. In his first season as a professional footballer, Bozhov made 18 appearances in the B PFG and scored six goals.
During the following 2008–09 campaign, the Akademik manager decided to use Bozhov into the starting line-up as the team's main striker. In that season, Bozhov scored eight goals in 24 appearances.
The 2009–10 season saw Bozhov emerge as the top scorer of Akademik Sofia with 15 goals in 24 games. His goals helped the team gain promotion to the first division in Bulgaria, for the first time in 28 years. On 23 May 2010, Bozhov scored the two goals in the A PFG promotion play-off against Nesebar
and was voted Akademik's best player of the 2009–10 season.
on a free transfer, agreeing a one-year deal with the A PFG club. Among the reasons for Bozhov's choice to sign for Slavia was the negative effect of the world economic crisis on his business, which ceased to be profitable. While he still runs the enterprise and pays the salaries of his three employees, he can afford to train daily and attend pre-season camps outside Sofia.
He began the season in fine form for Slavia. On 7 August 2010, while 33 years old, he made his debut in the Bulgarian top division. Bozhov scored his first competitive Slavia goal 12 minutes into his debut, in the game against Minyor Pernik
. In Slavia's fourth game of the season against Pirin Blagoevgrad
, Bozhov scored twice. He also featured in the next game, at home against Lokomotiv Plovdiv
, when he scored his fourth goal of the A PFG season. On 11 September 2010, Bozhov continued to impress with two goals in a 4–0 win against his previous team Akademik Sofia.
Bozhov was at one point sharing 5th place among the top scorers in the A PFG.
On 7 April 2011, Bozhov netted twice (including a last-minute goal
with a scissor kick
to send the game into extra time) in the 4:4 draw with Chernomorets Burgas
in the 1/4 finals of the Bulgarian Cup
. He also converted his penalty in the eventual shootout to decide the game, which was won by Slavia.
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
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...
forward who currently plays 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....
.
Youth retirement and business
Bozhov started his youth career in Bulgarian powerhouse 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...
's academy. At the age of 17, he retired from football because of a waist injury. Bozhov's father died soon after Bozhov finished his compulsory military service
Military service
Military service, in its simplest sense, is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary draft . Some nations require a specific amount of military service from every citizen...
, so he had to take charge of his father's ironmonger's shop. The business quickly developed and the shop soon grew to a full-fledged enterprise. Bozhov imported goods from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and supplied local wholesale dealers. At the time, Bozhov did not even consider a return to football, as his business provided a good source of income and his waist problems continued.
Senior career
In 2005, on the insistence of a friend, Bozhov started appearing for amateur side Vihar Gorublyane, returning to football after a ten-year break. He played for the team for two seasons in the lower divisions of Bulgaria's football pyramid. While a part-time player at Vihar, Bozhov did not receive any salary. In 2007, the club merged with B PFG side Akademik Sofia, thus Bozhov indirectly became part of that team.Akademik Sofia
In June 2007, at age 30, Bozhov signed his first professional contract with Akademik Sofia. Nonetheless he was not a full-time footballer for the club and would sometimes attend training as rarely as once or twice a week. He made his debut on 18 August 2007, during the 2007–08 season, in a 1–1 away draw against Yantra GabrovoFC Yantra
FC Yantra is a football club based in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. Its home stadium Hristo Botev has a capacity of 14 000 seats. Club colors are green and white...
, coming on as a substitute for Troyan Radulov
Troyan Radulov
Troyan Radulov is a Bulgarian footballer currently playing for Akademik Sofia as a midfielder.Radulov previously played for Slavia Sofia, Vidima-Rakovski Sevlievo and Spartak Varna in the A PFG.-External links:*...
. In the next week he scored his first goal for a 2–1 away win against Velbazhd Kyustendil
PFC Velbazhd Kyustendil
F.C. Velbazhd is a Bulgarian association football club based in Kyustendil. The club currently competes in the South-West V AFG, the third tier of the Bulgarian league....
. In his first season as a professional footballer, Bozhov made 18 appearances in the B PFG and scored six goals.
During the following 2008–09 campaign, the Akademik manager decided to use Bozhov into the starting line-up as the team's main striker. In that season, Bozhov scored eight goals in 24 appearances.
The 2009–10 season saw Bozhov emerge as the top scorer of Akademik Sofia with 15 goals in 24 games. His goals helped the team gain promotion to the first division in Bulgaria, for the first time in 28 years. On 23 May 2010, Bozhov scored the two goals in the A PFG promotion play-off against Nesebar
PFC Nesebar
PFC Nesebar is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Nesebar, currently playing in the East B PFG, the second division of Bulgarian football.-History:...
and was voted Akademik's best player of the 2009–10 season.
Slavia Sofia
In late May 2010, Bozhov 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, agreeing a one-year deal with the A PFG club. Among the reasons for Bozhov's choice to sign for Slavia was the negative effect of the world economic crisis on his business, which ceased to be profitable. While he still runs the enterprise and pays the salaries of his three employees, he can afford to train daily and attend pre-season camps outside Sofia.
He began the season in fine form for Slavia. On 7 August 2010, while 33 years old, he made his debut in the Bulgarian top division. Bozhov scored his first competitive Slavia goal 12 minutes into his debut, in the game against Minyor Pernik
PFC Minyor Pernik
PFC Minyor Pernik is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Pernik, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football. Their fans are known as the craziest and most loyal in Bulgaria because they always support the club...
. In Slavia's fourth game of the season against Pirin Blagoevgrad
PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad
PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad was a Bulgarian professional football club based in Blagoevgrad.Club was founded in 1931 as Makedonska Slava . In 1948 the club joined the newly established FD Julius Dermendzhiev and cease its independent existence...
, Bozhov scored twice. He also featured in the next game, at home 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...
, when he scored his fourth goal of the A PFG season. On 11 September 2010, Bozhov continued to impress with two goals in a 4–0 win against his previous team Akademik Sofia.
Bozhov was at one point sharing 5th place among the top scorers in the A PFG.
On 7 April 2011, Bozhov netted twice (including a last-minute goal
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
with a scissor kick
Scissor kick
Scissor kick may refer to:* Scissor kick , a move in martial arts and wrestling* Bicycle kick, a move in football* A leg movement used in swimming, such as in the sidestroke* A vulgar term for Tribadism...
to send the game into extra time) in the 4:4 draw with Chernomorets Burgas
PFC Chernomorets Burgas
PSFC Chernomorets Burgas or simply Chernomorets is a Bulgarian football club from the city of Burgas, which currently competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. The club was restored in 2005 by the local municipality and is the official successor of the traditions and successes of the...
in the 1/4 finals of the 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....
. He also converted his penalty in the eventual shootout to decide the game, which was won by Slavia.
Club statistics
As of 24 May 2010| Club | Season | League | Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Akademik | 2007–08 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 6 |
| 2008–09 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 8 | |
| 2009–10 | 24 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 17 | |
| TOTAL | 66 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 69 | 31 | |
| Slavia 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.... |
2010–11 2010–11 A PFG The 2010–11 A PFG is the 87th season of the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, Bulgaria's premier football league. The season commenced on 31 July 2010 and will end with the last games on 28 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between weekends around 29 November 2010 and 26 February... |
26 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 14 |
| Career totals | 92 | 39 | 7 | 6 | 99 | 45 | |