Zhivko Atanasov

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

International[edit]

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[edit]

Club[edit]

Cherno More

Bulgarian Cup: 2014–15

References[edit]

^ "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[edit]

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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