Stefan Ivov Velkov (; born 12 December 1996) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Danish Superliga club Sønderjyske.
Career Slavia Sofia Born in Sofia, Velkov began his football career with Slavia Sofia in 2005. He made his first-team debut on 27 July 2013, at 16 years 227 days, coming on as a substitute for Hristo Yanev in a 0–0 away league draw against Cherno More Varna. On 18 December 2013, it was reported that Velkov was on trial with Manchester United. After the great debut season and a few trials in big European teams, Velkov got a serious injury, which took him out of football for a minimum of six months.
In March 2015, Velkov extended his contract with Slavia for a further three years. He returned to training in April, but he did not take part in any further matches, so he missed the entire 2014–15 season.Стефан Велков се завърна в първия отбор на Славия
Velkov returned to play in the first match of the 2015–16 season against Lokomotiv Plovdiv as a substitute in the 88th minute.„А” група започна с класическа „бяла” победа
Velkov scored his debut goal for Slavia in the league on 17 September 2016 in a match against Ludogorets Razgrad, lost by his team with 3–1.Звездата на Лудогорец започна да вкарва и в Първа лига
Den Bosch On 10 August 2018, Velkov signed for the Dutch Eerste Divisie team Den Bosch. He made his debut a week later, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 away win over FC Volendam. He scored his first goal for the club on 25 September, in a 2–1 loss against Heracles Almelo in the KNVB Cup.
MSV Duisburg After a short stint at KFC Uerdingen he moved to MSV Duisburg in January 2021. He signed a new one-year contract on 27 May 2021. In the summer of 2022, he left Duisburg.
Vejle On 17 June 2022, Velkov signed with newly relegated Danish 1st Division side Vejle Boldklub, penning a deal until June 2024. On 29 May 2025, Velkov extended his contract with the club until June 2027.
Sønderjyske On deadline-day, 2 September 2026, Velkov joined Sønderjyske on a three-year contract.Sønderjyske fodbold henter Velkov i Vejle, sønderjyskefodbold.dk, 2 September 2026
International career Youth levels Velkov represented Bulgaria at the under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels. On 1 June 2013, he made his debut for the Bulgaria under-21 side at the age of 16 years, 5 months and 22 days, making him the second-youngest player to debut for the team after Nikolay Mihaylov.Младежки национал пред трансфер в НаполиСтефан Велков ще играе само за младежите On 25 March 2016 Velkov was in the starting lineup for the goalless draw with Wales U21.България не успя да преклони УелсМладежите не успяха да се справят с Уелс (видео) He served as the team captain.
Senior level On 14 March 2017, he received his first call-up for Bulgaria senior team for the match against the Netherlands on 25 March 2017,Много изненади и 6-ма от ЦСКА-София в състава на България за мача с Холандия in which he was an unused substitute. Velkov earned his first cap on 26 February 2020, playing the first 75 minutes of the 1–0 home loss against Belarus in a friendly game.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSlavia Sofia2013–14A Group21021——2312014–15A Group0000——002015–16A Group24010——2502016–17Bulgarian First League1911020202412017–18Bulgarian First League22120——241Total862612020963Den Bosch2018–19Eerste Divisie20211—202332019–20Eerste Divisie21210——222Total414210020455Waalwijk (loan)2019–20Eredivisie3000—0030KFC Uerdingen2020–213. Liga50———50MSV Duisburg2020–213. Liga30———302021–223. Liga160———160Total190———190Vejle2022–23Danish 1st Division27151——3222023–24Danish Superliga26010——2702024–25Danish Superliga23300——2332025–26Danish Superliga20411——2152026–27Danish 1st Division6013——73Total102885——11013Career total25613167204027821
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBulgaria202010202510202640Total60
Honours Slavia Sofia Bulgarian Cup: 2017–18
Vejle Danish 1st Division: 2022–23
References
External links