Svetoslav Svetlozarov Kovachev (; born 14 March 1998) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a winger for First League club Arda Kardzhali.
His younger brother Lachezar is also a footballer, currently playing for Spartak Pleven.
Career
Ludogorets Razgrad Born in Pleven, Kovachev started his career in Svoboda Milkovitsa.Светослав Ковачев капитан на Лудогорец (98) He joined Ludogorets in 2011 recruited by the Bulgarian legend Plamen Getov.Младите надежди на Лудогорец разкриват тайни In 2014, he played for Ludogorets U19 in the UEFA Youth League, being a starter in all of the 6 matches.Таланти от Благоевград, Дупница и Кюстендил пред дебют в Шампионската лига за младежи
He made his debut for Ludogorets Razgrad II on 6 December 2015 in a match against FC Pirin Razlog.Ludogorets II vs Pirin
On 22 May 2016 he made his complete debut in A Group for Ludogorets in a match against Beroe Stara Zagora.Берое си гарантира Европа на "Лудогорец арена", "орлите" показаха младата генерация
Kovachev started the 2017–18 season in Ludogorets II by scoring a goal in the first match of the season against Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia.Лудогорец 2 започна с успех новия сезон във Втора лига, разочарование за Локо (Сф) On 29 July 2017 he played for the main team in the 0–0 draw against Lokomotiv Plovdiv coming as a substitute in the First League match.Резервите на Лудогорец - тлъста нула срещу Локо Пд Kovachev was on the bench for the Europa League group stage match against İstanbul Başakşehir, but stayed as an unused substitute.Браво на Лудогорец! Изигра силен мач и изпусна турската сензация Истанбул ББ On 21 September 2017 he made his debut for the Bulgarian Cup in the first round against Oborishte.Румънец спаси Лудогорец и Херо от голям резил срещу тим от Втора лига
Kovachev was named captain for the Ludogorets U19 team in the UEFA Youth League in the first match from the Domestic Champions Path against Željezničar U19 on 27 September 2017.При равен резултат завърши първият мач от Младежка Шампионска лига в Разград
On 15 February 2018 Kovachev was named on bench for the Europa League Round of 32 match against Milan and made his debut as a substitute in the 81st minute.Ковачев: Радвам се, че имах възможност да играя срещу Милан, но ми е гадно, че загубихме
Loan to Dunav In June 2018, Kovachev was loaned to Dunav Ruse, although he spend the pre-season camp with Ludogorets first team. He made his debut for the team in the first league match of the season against Vitosha Bistritsa on 20 July 2018, assisting for the only goal for Dunav.Витоша (Бистрица) победи Дунав (Русе) с 2:1 на старта на новия сезон в Първа лига
On 4 November 2018 he scored his first goal for the team in First League, netting the second goal for the 3:0 win over Vitosha Bistritsa.Дунав разби Витоша за 18 минути
Arda Kardzhali Kovachev joined Arda Kardzhali on a year long loan on 6 January 2020. He returned to Ludogorets team in end of December 2020, having a contract with Razgrad team until July 2021, which he didn't extend. In February 2021 he signed a 3-year pre-contract with Arda, from July 2021, leaving him out of Ludogorets team until end of the season.Един от големите таланти на Лудогорец избра Арда
Loan to Akhmat Grozny On 3 August 2023, Kovachev joined Russian Premier League club Akhmat Grozny on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
On 8 July 2025, Kovachev's contract with Akhmat was mutually terminated.
Return to Arda Kardzhali On 21 July 2025, it was confirmed that Kovachev had rejoined Arda, signing a three-year contract. On 14 August 2025, he scored the second goal in the 2:0 return leg win over Lithuanian team Kauno Žalgiris in a UEFA Conference League qualifying match, which marked Arda's first home victory in a European club tournament.
International career Youth levels Kovachev was called up for the Bulgaria U19 team for the 2017 European Under-19 Championship qualification from 22 to 27 March 2017.Съставът на България (U19) за Елитния кръг във Франция After a draw and 2 wins the team qualified for the knockout phase which will be held in July 2017.Футболът ни възкръсна! 19-годишните лъвове "изядоха" всички, България с нов грандиозен успех
Kovachev made his debut for Bulgaria U21 on 27 March 2018 in a European Under-21 qualification match against Kazakhstan U21, keeping a clean sheet for the 3:0 win.Браво, момчета! Младежите се развихриха и съсипаха Словения
Senior Kovachev received his first call-up for senior Bulgarian squad on 29 August 2018 for the UEFA Nations League matches against Slovenia and Norway on 6 and 9 September.Съставът на България - петима дебютанти за "лъвовете" срещу Словения и Норвегия, Спас Делев аут He earned his first cap on 26 February 2020, coming on as a substitute for Ismail Isa during the second half of the 0:1 home loss against Belarus in a friendly game.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLudogorets Razgrad II2015–16B Group112———1122016–17Second League192———1922017–18Second League246———246 Total54100000005410Ludogorets Razgrad2015–16A Group20000000202016–17First League30000000302017–18First League502010—80 Total100201000130Dunav Ruse (loan)2018–19First League28520—2Relegation Play-offs0325Etar Veliko Tarnovo (loan)2019–20First League19010——200Arda Kardzhali (loan)First League9200——922020–21First League15310——163Total24510——255Arda Kardzhali2021–22First League2442020—2842022–23First League35830——3882023–24First League2000——20Total61125020—6812Akhmat Grozny (loan)2023–24Russian Premier League24371——314Akhmat Grozny2024–25Russian Premier League10061——161Arda Kardzhali2024–25First League7200——72Career total 237 37 24 2 3 0 2 0 266 39
National team
Bulgaria national teamYearAppsGoals202040202310Total50
References