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Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivankov
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Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov (Bulgarian: Димитър Иванов Иванков; born 30 October 1975) is a former Bulgarian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. However, he is known for his goals, especially from converting penalty kicks.[2] Ivankov is the sixth highest goalscoring goalkeeper of all time with 42 goals, and Number 1 in Europe under this indicator.[3]

Key Information

Club career

[edit]

Born in Sofia, Ivankov was raised in Levski Sofia's youth teams and is a passionate fan of the "bluemen".[4] For nine seasons he played in 275 matches and scored 25 goals. Ivankov was a champion of Bulgaria in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the national cup winner for 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

He joined Turkish club Kayserispor in June 2005. On 7 May 2008 he played a vital role in Kayseri winning the Turkish Cup, saving 3 penalties and scoring two himself.[5] Thus, he became the fourth Bulgarian to win the Turkish Cup.[6]

During three seasons with the club Ivankov earned 94 appearances playing in the Süper Lig, and scored six goals.

On 9 June 2008 he signed a contract with Bursaspor.[7] He scored a crucial goal against Fenerbahçe in the 95th minute. His goal made the game 2–1 to Bursapor.

In 2010, he scored the 42nd senior goal of his career, putting him in third place for the most goals scored by goalkeepers worldwide.[3] He won the Turkish Süper Lig with Bursaspor in 2010.

On 23 June 2011, Ivankov signed a contract with Cypriot First Division side Anorthosis Famagusta. The contract with Anorthosis was terminated by mutual agreement on 8 August, after Europa League exit.[8]

International career

[edit]

Ivankov earned his first cap with Bulgaria in 1998 and has since earned 64 caps for his country.[9] He was part of the Bulgarian squad at Euro 2004 in Portugal, but he did not play any single match in the competition as Zdravko Zdravkov was still at best performances in club and as number one of the Bulgarian national team. After Euro 2004 Ivankov was the first choice for goalkeeper of the Bulgarian team. On 3 March 2010, he played his last match for the national team in a friendly against Poland.[10]

Honours

[edit]
Levski Sofia
Kayserispor
Bursaspor

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dimitar Ivankov

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov (Bulgarian: Димитър Иванов Ивандов; born 30 October 1975) is a Bulgarian former professional footballer who played primarily as a , renowned for his penalty-taking ability that led to him scoring 42 goals during his career, making him the highest-scoring in European football history. Born in , he began his professional career with hometown club Levski Sofia in 1997, where he spent eight seasons and became a key figure in the team's dominance of Bulgarian football. Ivankov won three consecutive Bulgarian First League titles with Levski Sofia from 1999–2000 to 2001–02, along with five Bulgarian Cups (1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05). He also secured the with in 2006–07 before moving to , where he contributed to their historic title, becoming the first Bulgarian to win the Turkish championship. His club career concluded with a stint at Anorthosis Famagusta in from 2011 to 2012, after which he retired. On the international stage, Ivankov earned 65 caps for between 1998 and 2010, featuring in qualifiers for UEFA European Championships (2000, 2004, 2008) and FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010), though the team did not qualify for any finals during his tenure. Post-retirement, he has served as a goalkeeping coach at Levski Sofia since 2019.

Early life

Childhood

Dimitar Ivankov was born on 30 October 1975 in , . Growing up in , a city with a rich and passionate football culture dominated by historic rivalries between clubs such as Levski Sofia and CSKA Sofia. This environment, where football has been integral to local identity since the late , fostered widespread community engagement with the game. From a young age, Ivankov was a devoted fan of Levski Sofia, the club that would later become central to his career.

Youth career

Dimitar Ivankov, a lifelong supporter of Levski Sofia, joined the club's youth academy in his hometown of , where he began his organized football development. He progressed steadily through the academy's age-group teams, focusing on refining his goalkeeping fundamentals such as positioning, reflexes, and distribution under the guidance of club coaches. Ivankov passed through all of Levski's youth categories, training patiently and building the composure that would define his career, though he had no major loans or senior appearances during this phase.

Club career

Levski Sofia

Dimitar Ivankov made his senior debut for Levski Sofia during the 1996–97 season, establishing himself as the club's primary over the subsequent nine years. From 1996 to 2005, he appeared in 203 matches for the club, contributing to a period of domestic dominance while scoring 18 goals, the majority from penalty kicks that showcased his proficiency in set-piece situations. As a lifelong supporter of Levski Sofia, Ivankov fulfilled a childhood dream by anchoring the defense for his hometown team. Ivankov's tenure coincided with Levski's success in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, where the club secured five titles during his time: the three consecutive championships in the 1999–2000, 2000–01, and 2001–02 seasons, as well as the 2003–04 and 2004–05 titles, with Ivankov featuring prominently in each campaign. He also played a key role in six victories during this era: 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, and 2004–05, often providing stability in high-stakes knockout matches. In the 1998 Bulgarian Cup final against CSKA Sofia, Ivankov kept a clean sheet as Levski triumphed 5–0, demonstrating his command in goal during a decisive domestic triumph. Similarly, in the 2005 final versus CSKA Sofia, which Levski won 2–1, Ivankov made a crucial save on Valentin Iliev's powerful volley, preserving the lead in a tense encounter marked by multiple red cards. His ability to score from penalties further highlighted his versatility, as seen in league fixtures like the April 2000 clash with CSKA Sofia, where he converted from the spot to aid Levski's title push.

Kayserispor

In June 2005, Dimitar Ivankov transferred from Levski to in the Turkish , signing a three-year that marked his first move abroad after a successful career in . The transition to Turkish football presented challenges typical for foreign players, including adapting to a more physical style of play and cultural differences, yet Ivankov quickly established himself as a reliable starter, becoming the club's primary . Over his three seasons with from 2005 to 2008, Ivankov made 94 appearances in the , demonstrating consistency in a mid-table side aiming for stability and European qualification. He scored 6 goals during this period, all from penalty kicks in league matches, highlighting his unique ability as a to contribute offensively in high-pressure situations such as late-game equalizers or match-winners. These penalties not only boosted team morale but also underscored his confidence under pressure, a trait carried over from his Levski days. Ivankov's most memorable contribution came in the 2007–08 , where defeated Gençlerbirliği 4–4 (11–10 on penalties) in the final on 7 May 2008 at Bursa Atatürk Stadium, securing the club's first major trophy. In the , Ivankov played a pivotal role by saving three penalties and successfully converting two of his own, helping his team prevail in an extended 21-kick decider and earning widespread acclaim for his composure. This victory propelled to the Cup the following season and solidified Ivankov's legacy at the club as a clutch performer in knockout competitions.

Bursaspor

In June 2008, Dimitar Ivankov transferred to from , signing a three-year contract and bringing his experience as a reliable and penalty specialist to the club. Over his tenure until 2011, he made 91 appearances in the , scoring 6 goals, all from the penalty spot, while establishing himself as a key figure in the team's defense. Ivankov's most impactful season came in 2009–10, where he featured in 30 league matches, conceding 25 goals and securing 14 clean sheets, contributing to Bursaspor's solid defensive record of just 28 goals against in the campaign. As the club's primary penalty taker, he converted 4 spot-kicks, including decisive strikes in a 4–0 victory over on 8 November 2009 and a 2–0 win against on 24 April 2010, which helped maintain momentum in the title race. His goals matched the tally of Bursaspor's top outfield scorer that , underscoring his unique offensive contributions from the goalkeeper position. Ivankov's leadership and composure were instrumental in Bursaspor clinching the 2009–10 Süper Lig title on 16 May 2010 with a 2–1 win over , ending the long-standing monopoly of Istanbul's "Big Three" clubs (Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and ) and marking the first national championship for a non-Istanbul team since the league's inception in 1959. The triumph, achieved with 75 points from 23 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses, sparked euphoric celebrations across , where hundreds of thousands gathered in the streets, while the unexpected result triggered riots among Fenerbahçe supporters in , who had prematurely invaded the pitch at believing their team had won. Ivankov's role extended beyond statistics, as his veteran presence helped foster team unity during the high-stakes run-in.

Anorthosis Famagusta and retirement

In June 2011, following his successful spells in the Turkish with and , Dimitar Ivankov signed a free transfer contract with club Anorthosis . However, the arrangement was short-lived, as Anorthosis failed to advance in the qualifying rounds, losing 2–3 on aggregate to despite Ivankov featuring in the second leg. The contract was subsequently terminated by mutual agreement on August 8, 2011, resulting in zero competitive appearances for the club. Ivankov officially retired from professional football on January 1, 2012, at the age of 36, bringing an end to a career spanning 387 club appearances.

International career

Debut and early years

Dimitar Ivankov made his senior debut for the national team on 4 November 1998, starting in a 0–0 friendly draw against in . At the age of 23, Ivankov kept a clean sheet in his first appearance, showcasing the shot-stopping ability that would define his international career. His strong performances at Levski during this period contributed to his initial selection for the national team. Ivankov quickly became a regular in Bulgaria's lineup, starting in all of his early international matches as the team competed in qualifiers for major tournaments. In the campaign, he featured in key fixtures, including a 0–2 away loss to on 4 June 1999 and a 1–1 home draw against on 9 June 1999, where his saves helped secure a valuable point against a strong opponent. He also started in the 0–1 away defeat to on 4 1999, solidifying his role amid Bulgaria's challenging group. By the end of these qualifiers, Ivankov had established himself as the first-choice , earning consistent starts in friendlies and competitive matches. Throughout the early 2000s, leading up to the qualifiers and the initial stages of , Ivankov continued to anchor Bulgaria's defense with notable interventions. In a 2–2 friendly draw against on 21 August 2002, he made several crucial stops to keep the score level against a formidable attack. During the Euro 2004 qualifiers, his clean sheets in 2–0 home wins over on 6 September 2003 and a 3–0 away victory against on 10 September 2003 underscored his growing reliability. These performances helped Bulgaria maintain competitiveness in their group, with Ivankov amassing 19 caps by the end of 2003—all as a starter—and ultimately earning 65 caps for his country by his retirement from international duty in 2010.

Euro 2004 and later involvement

Ivankov was included in Bulgaria's 23-man squad for , serving as the backup goalkeeper behind Zdravko Zdravkov, who started all three group stage matches against , , and . Although he did not feature in the tournament, his selection marked a significant milestone, reflecting his growing reliability at the international level following earlier appearances that built his experience. Bulgaria exited the competition without advancing from , having suffered defeats in all matches. Following Euro 2004, Ivankov established himself as Bulgaria's primary goalkeeper during the qualifiers, starting eight of Bulgaria's ten matches in the campaign. His consistent performances helped Bulgaria secure third place in their group behind and , though they fell short of qualification. Ivankov maintained his starting role through the phase, where he featured in seven of the twelve fixtures, contributing to a competitive effort that saw Bulgaria finish third in their group with 21 points behind (29 points) and the Netherlands (26 points), failing to qualify for the tournament. Ivankov continued to represent in subsequent competitions, including the qualifiers, before announcing his retirement from international duty in March 2010 after his final appearance against in a friendly. Over his international career spanning 1998 to 2010, he earned 65 caps without scoring any goals, solidifying his legacy as one of 's most capped goalkeepers.

Goalscoring record

Penalties and set pieces

Dimitar Ivankov demonstrated a strong preference for taking penalties during his , often stepping up as the designated kicker for his clubs due to his exceptional in dead-ball situations. This self-assurance stemmed from his consistent success, as he converted all penalties he took in competitive matches without a recorded miss, primarily in the Bulgarian First League and Turkish . Ivankov's approach involved a distinctive run-up where he would close his eyes just before striking the ball, a technique that enhanced his mental focus and contributed to his unerring accuracy. Penalties formed his entire scoring output. He registered a total of 31 league goals from penalties, showcasing his versatility in set-piece execution during his stints with Levski Sofia, , and . One notable example came in European competition, where he scored from penalties in qualifiers, underscoring his reliability under pressure. Ivankov's proficiency in these areas was bolstered by a dedicated regimen that integrated shooting drills with traditional exercises, allowing him to maintain precision from the while honing his primary defensive skills. This balanced preparation was evident in high-stakes moments, such as the 2008 final , where he saved three penalties and scored two himself to secure victory for . Throughout his career, these set-piece contributions helped him amass 42 goals overall as a .

Career totals and rankings

Dimitar Ivankov scored a total of goals during his senior career, all at club level with none for the Bulgarian national team. This tally places him sixth among the highest-scoring goalkeepers in football history worldwide and first in . Of his goals, all were converted from penalty kicks, showcasing his proficiency in stepping up for spot-kicks during matches. In comparison to other notable scoring goalkeepers, Ivankov's 42 goals trail far behind the record holder , who amassed 131 goals primarily through a mix of penalties and free kicks during his tenure with . Ivankov's achievement, however, underscores his unique role as a penalty specialist among European custodians, contributing significantly to his clubs' attacking output in critical moments.

Coaching career

Roles at Levski Sofia

After retiring from professional football in 2012, Dimitar Ivankov transitioned into coaching, beginning with a role as goalkeeping coach at his formative club, Levski Sofia, from April 2013 to January 2015. In January 2019, Ivankov was appointed goalkeeping coach at Levski Sofia, where he served through the end of the 2018/19 season under head coaches Georgi Dermendzhiev for 11 matches and Georgi Todorov for 6 matches. In this position, he contributed to the training and preparation of the club's goalkeepers, applying insights from his own distinguished career as a Levski player who appeared in 275 matches for the team. Ivankov returned to Levski Sofia as goalkeeping coach in May 2021. He leveraged his experience as a former international with 65 caps to mentor emerging talents and support senior squad performance.

Honours

Club achievements

During his tenure with Levski Sofia from 1996 to 2005, Dimitar Ivankov contributed to the club's success in domestic competitions, helping secure four Bulgarian First League titles in the 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, and 2004–05 seasons. He was also part of the squad that won five Bulgarian Cups during this period, in 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03, and 2004–05. Ivankov's time at from 2005 to 2008 saw the team win the and culminated in the 2007–08 victory, where they defeated Gençlerbirliği 0–0 (a.e.t.) (10–11 on penalties) in the final. With from 2008 to 2011, Ivankov played a key role in their historic title win, marking the club's first and only top-flight championship to date. Ivankov did not win any major honours during his stint with Anorthosis Famagusta from 2011 to 2012.

Individual recognitions

During his tenure at Levski Sofia in the early 2000s, Dimitar Ivankov was frequently honored as Bulgaria's premier goalkeeper through annual industry polls and awards, reflecting his consistent shot-stopping prowess and leadership in the Bulgarian Premier League. He won the Best Goalkeeper award in 2003, as voted by football professionals and media, and repeated the honor in 2004 amid Levski's successful campaigns. These recognitions underscored his status as the national team's first-choice keeper during that era. Ivankov achieved a unique milestone as the highest-scoring in Bulgarian football history, tallying goals primarily from penalty kicks over his professional career spanning 1996 to 2012. This record highlights his exceptional penalty conversion rate and versatility, setting him apart from other Bulgarian keepers who rarely ventured forward. On the international stage, Ivankov earned inclusion in prominent global rankings of goalscoring goalkeepers, placing sixth in the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) list of the highest-scoring goalkeepers of the . His tally positioned him as Europe's leading contributor in this category, ahead of many contemporaries, and cemented his reputation as one of football's most prolific netminders from the penalty spot.

References

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  3. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bulgcuphist.html
  4. https://www.transfermarkt.us/dimitar-ivankov/erfolge/spieler/15256
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  18. https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/goalkeepers-who-took-penalties
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  29. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/5164-dimitar-ivankov
  30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/365284.stm
  31. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/07/euro2004.sport35
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  36. https://www.insidesport.com/c/total-football/top-10-goalkeepers-with-the-most-goals-in-football-history/4093
  37. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01ea-0e75d2b3d122-890bab06660b-1000--ivankov-buzzing-ahead-of-berbatov-reunion/
  38. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0217-0e8b43176fe1-d6394b0b8867-1000--europe-s-goalscoring-goalkeepers/
  39. https://btvsport.bg/tag?tag=%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8A%D1%80%20%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2
  40. https://www.playmakerstats.com/team_titles.php?id=1040
  41. https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=715&ftxtID=3984
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  44. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0198-0e6a7c088927-b32d71b52fef-1000--petrov-wins-bulgarian-honour/
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  46. https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/goal-scoring-goalkeepers-football/article31540537.ece
  47. https://www.iffhs.com/posts/967
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