Milen Petkov

Milen Ivanov Petkov (Милен Иванов Петков; born 12 January 1974) is a former Bulgarian international football player, who played as a defensive midfielder.

Club career
Petkov started his career in the Dobrudzha Dobrich and then played with great success in CSKA Sofia, where he won 1 Bulgarian League and 2 Bulgarian Cups. In January 2000, the then new coach of AEK Athens, Giannis Pathiakakis brought him to the club. He had a great impact for his team in winning the Greek Cup in, scoring in the quarter-finals in the 3–0 win against Olympiacos, but also with a free kick in the final against Ionikos. The following seasons at the clun were also good where he played either as a starter or as a substitute. But affected by various injuries he his declining performances during his last seasons resulted in leaving AEK in the summer of 2005, having won 2 Greek Cups. Afterwards, he played for one season at Atromitos and then for two seasons in the second division side, Ilysiakos. In 2008 he returned to Bulgaria and played in Cherno More for two seasons before ending his career in Dobrudzha in 2011.

International career
Petkov was part of the Bulgarian World Cup 1998 team and Bulgarian 2004 European Football Championship team, which was eliminated in the first round, finishing bottom of Group C, having finished top of Qualifying Group 8 in the pre-tournament phase. Between 1997 and 2004 for Bulgaria national football team he had 37 caps and scored 1 goal.

After football
Petkov after the end of his career as a footballer, took up coaching and also worked as an agent.

Personal life
Petkov's son, Aleks Petkov, is also a professional footballer.

Honours

 * CSKA Sofia
 * Bulgarian League: 1996–97
 * Bulgarian Cup: 1996–97, 1998–99


 * AEK Athens
 * Greek Cup: 1999–2000, 2001–02