Basel defender Ivanov named Bulgarian player of the year

SOFIA (Reuters) - Basel centre back Ivan Ivanov has been named Bulgaria's footballer of the year, first defender to win the annual poll of sports journalists since Trifon Ivanov's win in 1996.

Basel defender Ivanov named Bulgarian player of the year

(Reuters)

The 25-year-old, capped 40 times by Bulgaria, helped Partizan Belgrade win the Serbian league title last season before joining Swiss champions Basel in August.

"I am extremely excited, flattered and happy," Ivanov, who has also played for CSKA Sofia, told reporters. "This is an assessment of my work over the last two or three years."

Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov, who inspired Russia's Kuban Krasnodar to their first-ever European competition appearance, was second in the vote while Bulgarian champions Ludogorets' midfielder Svetoslav Dyakov came third.

Ludogorets' Stoycho Stoev won the coach's award after guiding the team to the Europa League's knockout stages after topping Group B.

(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world