Martin Yankov Minchev (; born 22 April 2001) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Ekstraklasa club Cracovia and the Bulgaria national team.
Career
Cherno More Born in Varna, Minchev joined Cherno More's youth academy at the age of seven in 2008 and progressed through the age groups.
On 23 April 2017, a day after his 16th birthday, Minchev was given his professional debut by manager Georgi Ivanov in a 3–2 league victory over Lokomotiv Plovdiv, replacing Ivan Kokonov in the 76th minute. In doing so, he became Cherno More's youngest-ever first team player in the Bulgarian league, aged 16 years and one day. In the beginning of June 2017 he spent five days on trial at Serie A club Torino, where he trained with the U17 team and took part in one friendly match, scoring a hat-trick.
Minchev began to establish himself in the Cherno More first team during the 2017–18 season. On 30 March 2018, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, netting Cherno More's first in a 2–1 league victory against Pirin Blagoevgrad.
Sparta Prague On 26 June 2020, Minchev moved abroad, signing a four-year contract with Sparta Prague.
Çaykur Rizespor On 10 September 2023, Minchev signed a three-year contract with Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor.
Cracovia On 19 February 2025, Minchev moved to Polish club Cracovia on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
International career Youth teams Minchev made his Bulgaria under-18 debut at the age of 15 in January 2017 during the 2017 Granatkin Memorial Cup. He scored his first goal in the Bulgaria's fifth game of the tournament against Slovakia on 18 January.
On 19 September 2017, Minchev made his debut for Bulgaria U17 in a friendly against Turkey U17, scoring the second consolation goal in a 2–5 home defeat.
In August 2018, Minchev took part in the Vaclav Jezek Tournament with Bulgaria U18. He scored three goals during the tournament in Vrchlabí, Czech Republic, and was named Player of the Tournament.
National team After a good run of form with Cherno More, on 11 March 2019 Minchev was called up by manager Petar Hubchev to the Bulgaria squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Montenegro and Kosovo. He made his first senior appearance for Bulgaria in a 1–1 home draw against Montenegro on 22 March at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, coming on as a substitute for Spas Delev in the 82nd minute. Minutes later he had a great opportunity to score a winning goal, but the ball ran inches wide.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCherno More2016–17First League4000—402017–18First League22250—2722018–19First League27231—3032019–20First League25621—277 Total7810102008812Sparta Prague2020–21Czech First League14030402102021–22Czech First League24451703652022–23Czech First League29542203572023–24Czech First League31003061 Total70101231609813Sparta Prague B2020–21ČFL11——112021–22FNL55——552022–23FNL41——41 Total1070000107Çaykur Rizespor2023–24Süper Lig33310—3432024–25Süper Lig5020—70Total38330—413Cracovia2024–25Ekstraklasa111——1112025–26Ekstraklasa29412—3062026–27Ekstraklasa8210—92Total48722—509Cracovia II2024–25IV liga Lesser Poland22——22Career total2463927716028946
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBulgaria201930202010202270202340202470202560202650Total330
Honours Sparta Prague Czech First League: 2022–23
Cracovia II IV liga Lesser Poland: 2024–25
References
External links