Georgi Bozhilov
Georgi Penkov Bozhilov (Bulgarian: Георги Божилов, born 12 February 1987) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who currently plays for Cherno More.[1] He has played much of his career as a second striker but he has also been used as a striker and as an attacking midfielder.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Georgi Penkov Bozhilov | ||
| Date of birth | 12 February 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Second striker / Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Cherno More | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2002 | Septemvri Sofia | ||
| 2002–2004 | CSKA Sofia | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Naftex Burgas | 21 | (0) |
| 2006–2010 | Chernomorets Burgas | 45 | (7) |
| 2009 | → Lokomotiv Plovdiv (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2010–2015 | Cherno More | 139 | (19) |
| 2015–2017 | Beroe Stara Zagora | 50 | (4) |
| 2017– | Cherno More | 35 | (7) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2011– | Bulgaria | 2 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 December 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 September 2016 | |||
Career
Early career
Born in Sofia, Bozhilov joined CSKA Sofia's Academy at the age of 15 having previously been at Septemvri Sofia. In 2004, he left CSKA's Academy and signed first professional contract with Naftex Burgas, together with his teammates Vladislav Stoyanov and Orlin Starokin.[2]
Chernomorets Burgas
In June 2006, Bozhilov joined Chernomorets Burgas, but suffered a severe knee injury and missed all matches of the 2006–07 season.[3] He made his league debut in a 6–1 away win at Belasitsa Petrich on 12 August 2007, coming on in the 81st minute as a substitute. Bozhilov then netted his first ever professional goal of his career in the league match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv on 6 October 2007, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 home win. He scored a total of 5 goals in 25 A Group games in the 2007–08 season.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv (loan)
On 31 August 2009, Bozhilov was loaned out to fellow A Group club Lokomotiv Plovdiv for four months.[4] On 26 November, Bozhilov returned to Chernomorets after a hamstring injury.[5]
Cherno More
On 24 January 2010, Bozhilov completed a move from Chernomorets to Cherno More, signing a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.[6] He made his competitive debut for Cherno More in a league game against Sliven 2000 on 8 March 2010, wearing the number 14. Bozhilov scored his first goal a week later, in a 3–2 home win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
On 7 January 2012, it was announced that Ukrainian Premier League side Zorya Luhansk had agreed a deal to sign Bozhilov.[7] Five days later, Zorya however pulled out of the transfer after it was reported that he failed his medical with the club.[8]
On 31 August 2013, Bozhilov hit his first goals of the 2013–14 season, scoring twice in the 3–1 home win against Ludogorets Razgrad. He made his 100th league appearance for Cherno More in a 1–0 away win at Neftochimic Burgas on 14 September.
Beroe
In June 2015, Bozhilov signed a contract with Beroe Stara Zagora as a free agent, after his contract had expired with Cherno More at the end of the 2014–15 season.[9] He scored on his competitive debut for Beroe on 2 July, scoring the second in a 2–0 away victory over Atlantas in the first qualifying round of the 2015–16 Europa League.
Return to Cherno More
On 14 June 2017, Bozhilov re-joined Cherno More.[10] On 15 July, he scored the winner in his second debut for the team in a 1–0 home win over Vitosha Bistritsa.[11]
International career
On 2 September 2011, Bozhilov made his debut for the Bulgarian national team, when he came on as a substitute in a Euro 2012 qualifying match against England for the final 28 minutes.[12]
Career statistics
As of 15 December 2018
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Naftex | 2004–05 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 13 | 0 |
| 2005–06 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 0 | |
| Chernomorets Burgas | 2006–07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2007–08 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 27 | 6 | |
| 2008–09 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 2 | |
| Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 2009–10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 |
| Cherno More | 2009–10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 3 |
| 2010–11 | 28 | 4 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 31 | 4 | |
| 2011–12 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 28 | 3 | |
| 2012–13 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 30 | 5 | |
| 2013–14 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 27 | 3 | |
| 2014–15 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 1 | |
| Beroe | 2015–16 | 29 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 38 | 3 |
| 2016–17 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 2 | |
| Cherno More | 2017–18 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 3 |
| 2018–19 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 17 | 5 | |
| Career totals | 294 | 37 | 24 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 326 | 40 | |
Honours
References
- "Stats Centre: Georgi Bozhilov Facts". Guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012.
- "Бягство от "Армията"" (in Bulgarian). temasport.com. 11 December 2011.
- "Нападател на Черноморец спира с футбола заради контузия" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 22 February 2007.
- "Георги Божилов под наем в Локо (Пд)" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 31 August 2009.
- "Георги Божилов напусна окончателно Локо (Пловдив)" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 26 November 2009.
- "Божилов официално подписа с Черно море" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 25 January 2010.
- "Морето взима над €500 хил. за Пантерата и Божилов" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. 8 January 2012.
- "Заря се отказа от Божилов" (in Bulgarian). dariknews.bg. 12 January 2012.
- ""Берое" подписа със Спас Делев и още четирима нови" (in Bulgarian). dnevnik.bg. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- "Черно море започна подготовка с 19 футболисти" (in Bulgarian). chernomorepfc.bg. 14 June 2017.
- "Cherno More vs. Vitosha Bistritsa 1–0". soccerway.com. 15 July 2017.
- "България – Англия 0:3, мачът по минути" (in Bulgarian). blitz.bg. 2 September 2011.
External links
- Player profile at extrafootie.co.uk
- Georgi Bozhilov at National-Football-Teams.com
- Georgi Bozhilov at Soccerway