Branimir Kostadinov

Branimir Petev Kostadinov (Бранимир Петев Костадинов; born 4 March 1989) is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays as a forward for Ludogorets Razgrad II.

Career
He started training football in the preparatory groups of Sofia and Septemvri under the guidance of the twins Tony and Kiril Kirilovi. Subsequently, he transferred to the youth academy of PFC Slavia (Sofia). In May 2004, he was approved and moved to the youth team of LASK Linz in Austria, where he played 22 games and scored 19 goals. Scored 3 goals for the Bulgarian under-17 national team in a 4-0 win over Austria in the European under-17 championship. Invited by Manchester City and Scottish Hearts, refused a direct contract offer from French RC Lance. Due to administrative restrictions in England City failed to attract the Bulgarian in November 2005. Kostadinov left for Scotland in January 2006. He competed for Hearts in the youth league where he scored 15 goals in 22 games. He was announced by the English "Sky Sports" as one of the most promising talents in Europe. In the 2007–08 season, he trained with the first team in Germany, where he scored his first goal in a 1:2 defeat by BV Kloppenburg. He then played in the Hearts under-17 youth team and the reserve team in 2007 2008. He made 10 friendlies with the first team and scored 3 goals. On March 10, 2008, he was again invited to training with Manchester City. Due to administrative problems, the transfer to City failed. After the end of the 2008–09 season, due to severe financial problems and debts of the Edinburgh club, Kostadinov and all continental European players were out of contract with Hearts and they left the Island. Kostadinov refused the invitation of the Swiss AC Belindzona and returned to Bulgaria, where he was invited by PSFK Chernomorets (Burgas) to undergo trial tests. In a match for the backup team played at Lazur Stadium, he scored two goals and assisted two more in a 6-0 win against Vihren (Sandanski). A few days later, on June 20, 2009, Kostadinov signed a three-year contract with PSFK Chernomorets (Burgas). In 2011, he joined the ranks of Botev (Vratsa), which returned to "A group" after a 20-year absence. Signed for 1.5 years. After a strong year with the team from Vratsa, Kostadinov moved on a half-season loan to Slovakia's Tatran Presov with an option to buy. After the end of his resignation, Kostadinov returned to Bulgaria. Terminates his contract with Botev (Vratsa) due to the fault of the club and moves to Lokomotiv (Sofia), signing a contract for 1.5 years. He established himself as a starter under coach Emil Velev. In 2014, Kostadinov terminated his contract with Lokomotiv by mutual consent and returned to Chernomorets (Burgas) after 3 years. He signs a contract for 1 year. After just 6 months, he left the club for unpaid debts. He signed a contract with the Plovdiv giant Lokomotiv Plovdiv, where he played for one year. He played 90 minutes in one of the two matches with Botev Plovdiv in the 1/4 final. After 1:1 in Lauta and 1:2 in Komatevo, Lokomotiv reached the 1/2 final. Kostadinov is injured for the next matches with Black Sea. After leaving Lokomotiv Plovdiv and a failed transfer abroad, Kostadinov decided to join Group B leader Dunav Ruse. The team had already played 7 matches in our second tier championship when Kostadinov signed for 2 years with the club. Promotion to the First Professional League follows with a 10-point lead over the second in the Second League standings. One of the most memorable years for the club followed, in which the team managed to enter the top six and finish 4th in the championship. Kostadinov established himself as the main player of the team, becoming the second top scorer scoring 8 goals and 9 assists in the season in question. He took part in the memorable matches with Ludogorets, in one of which he scored against the champions. In front of around 15,000 spectators, Kostadinov scored twice in the defeat of his former club Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Danube's first home game in Ruse in 25 years. Dunav gets the right to participate in the preliminary rounds of the Europa League, facing the team of Kostadinov's former coach in Chernomorets Burgas - Dimitar Dimitrov-Hero. Dunav lost both matches against Irtysh Pavlodar, but left excellent impressions despite the defeats. Kostadinov played full 90 minutes in both matches. After a total of 4 seasons with the Dunav team, Kostadinov left the club in an unexpected way for everyone. In February 2019, an almost certain transfer to his native Slavia Sofia fell through. He did not find a team until the summer of that year. In June 2019, he received an offer from Ludogorets Razgrad, which he accepted, despite being able to play only for the second team competing in the Second Professional League. Accepts the task with his experience of helping the younger boys. Recorded a historic season for the second team of Ludogorets, as in the first part of the 20/21 season the team was one win away from the 1st place, and in the second part of the season, the team was in a fierce battle for the bronze medals. After two losses, Ludogorets 2 finished 4th, which is also the team's best achievement in Group B. Kostadinov finished the season in a strong position for him in attack and in 8 games managed to score 6 goals and several assists. For the whole season, he scored 7 goals, and in 70% of the matches, he played as a right-back due to the absence of one. He made his debut for the representative team of the champion of Bulgaria against Pfk Cska 1948. In this match he played as a left defender. Played 90 minutes, counting with an assist for the only goal in the game for Ludogorets, the work of Claudio Kesheiru. The match ended 3:1 for the hosts from Sofia. After this match, Kostadinov remained in Ludogorets, continuing to help with his experience the younger players in Ludogorets 2. Ludogorets 2 managed to record another 4th place in the 22/23 season, as is 4 points from 3rd position. In the 23/24 season, Kostadinov recorded a successful season, scoring 6 goals, despite playing mostly as a left or right back. In the last match of the season against already relegated Maritsa Plovdiv, Kostadinov led his young teammates with the captain's armband. 6 players from the 3rd team of Ludogorets make their debut in professional football. He played for the first time as a centre-back. The match ended 1:1, with Kostadinov scoring the goal from a penalty 10 minutes before the end. It is expected that the 24/25 season will be the last in Branimir's career, as during it he will be a playing coach. In addition to the second team, he will also assist in the Academy of the champions as a conditioning coach.

International career
Kostadinov was a part of the Bulgaria U19 at the 2008 European Under-19 Championship in Czech Republic.