Dimitar Ivankov

Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov (Bulgarian: Димитър Иванов Иванков; born 30 October 1975) is a former Bulgarian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. However, he is known for his goals, especially from converting penalty kicks.[2] Ivankov is the 3rd highest goalscoring goalkeeper of all time with 42 goals, and Number 1 in Europe under this indicator.[3]

Dimitar Ivankov
Personal information
Full name Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov
Date of birth (1975-10-30) 30 October 1975
Place of birth Sofia, Bulgaria
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Levski Sofia (goalkeeping coach)
Youth career
Levski Sofia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2005 Levski Sofia 203 (18)
2005–2008 Kayserispor 94 (6)
2008–2011 Bursaspor 90 (6)
2011 Anorthosis Famagusta 0 (0)
Total 387 (30)
National team
1998–2010 Bulgaria 64 (0)
Teams managed
2019 Levski Sofia (goalkeeping coach)
2021– Levski Sofia (goalkeeping coach)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Born in Sofia, Ivankov was raised in Levski Sofia's youth teams and is a passionate fan of the "bluemen".[4] For nine seasons he played in 275 matches and scored 25 goals. Ivankov was a champion of Bulgaria in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the national cup winner for 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

He joined Turkish club Kayserispor in June 2005. On 7 May 2008 he played a vital role in Kayseri winning the Turkish Cup, saving 3 penalties and scoring two himself.[5] Thus, he became the fourth Bulgarian to win the Turkish Cup.[6]

During three seasons with the club Ivankov earned 94 appearances playing in the Süper Lig, and scored six goals.

On 9 June 2008 he signed a contract with Bursaspor.[7] He scored a crucial goal against Fenerbahçe in the 95th minute. His goal made the game 2–1 to Bursapor.

In 2010, he scored the 42nd senior goal of his career, putting him in third place for the most goals scored by goalkeepers worldwide.[3] He won the Turkish Süper Lig with Bursaspor in 2010.

On 23 June 2011, Ivankov signed a contract with Cypriot First Division side Anorthosis Famagusta. The contract with Anorthosis was terminated by mutual agreement on 8 August, after Europa League exit.[8]

International career

Ivankov earned his first cap with Bulgaria in 1998 and has since earned 64 caps for his country.[9] He was part of the Bulgarian squad at Euro 2004 in Portugal, but he did not play any single match in the competition as Zdravko Zdravkov was still at best performances in club and as number one of the Bulgarian national team. After Euro 2004 Ivankov was the first choice for goalkeeper of the Bulgarian team. On 3 March 2010, he played his last match for the national team in a friendly against Poland.[10]

Honours
Levski Sofia
Kayserispor
Bursaspor

References
  1. "Започваме ги с Швеция. 10 години след лудото американско лято се готвим за скок в Европа" (in Bulgarian). standartnews.com. 12 June 2004. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  2. "Penaltı ustası Ivankov" (in Turkish). Milliyet.com.tr. 2 October 2008. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
  3. "Topical Top 10s: Goalscoring keepers". skysports.com. 1 April 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  4. Dimitrov, Ivaylo (29 January 2015). "Топ 7 на най-култовите вратари в историята на "А" група, луди до доказване на противното!". topsport.bg. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  5. "Penaltı fatihi Ivankov" (in Turkish). Mackolik.com. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  6. "Иванков взе Купата на Турция, Митко спасява 3 дузпи и вкарва 2 за 11:10 срещу "Генчлербирлиги" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  7. "Dimitar Ivankov Bursaspor'da" (in Turkish). Sporx.com. 5 June 2008. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  8. "Termination of agreement with Dimitar Ivankov". anorthosis.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  9. "Dimitar Ivankov". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
  10. "Bulgaria recall retired keeper Ivankov". Fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
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