Zhivko Atanasov (; born 3 February 1991) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for First League club Cherno More Varna.
Club career 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. On 17 February 2012, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract. 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.
On 4 August 2020, Atanasov returned to his boyhood club Levski Sofia on a 2-year deal. On 14 June 2021, he terminated his contract with Levski due to financial reasons.
On 16 June 2021, Atanasov returned to former club, Cherno More, on a two-year contract.
International career On 16 November 2023, Atanasov earned his first cap for the national team after coming on as a late first half substitute for Ivaylo Chochev in a 2–2 home draw against Hungary in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
Family 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
Club
ClubLeagueSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsApps Goals Apps GoalsCherno MoreFirst League2011–1215100——1512012–1318030——2102013–1419130——2212014–1521071——281Total7321310000863Slavia SofiaFirst League2015–168010——90Juve StabiaSerie C2015–162000——202016–1721120—202512017–181020——30Total241400020301Levski SofiaFirst League2020–2128420——304Cherno MoreFirst League2021–2229120——3112022–2331150——3612023–2433410——3442024–253324020—3922025–263211020—3512026–279000——90Total167913040001849Career total23815271400026916
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBulgaria2023202024100202510Total130
Honours Club Cherno More Bulgarian Cup: 2014–15
References
External links