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Filip Krastev
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Filip Yavorov Krastev (Bulgarian: Филип Яворов Кръстев; born 15 October 2001) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a left winger or attacking midfielder for Göztepe, on loan from Challenger Pro League club Lommel, and the Bulgaria national team.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Slavia Sofia
[edit]Krastev joined Slavia Sofia's youth academy in 2010.[2] He made his first team debut at the age of 16 years and 210 days in a 3–0 home loss against Lokomotiv Plovdiv on 13 May 2018, coming on as a substitute for Galin Ivanov.[3] Krastev scored his first senior goal on 24 February 2020, netting the second for Slavia during their 3–1 victory against Dunav Ruse. A week later, he provided an assist to Ivaylo Dimitrov in a 2–1 away win over Levski Sofia.[4]
Lommel
[edit]On 18 June 2020, Slavia announced that Krastev would sign for Premier League club Manchester City in the following week;[5] however, on 28 June 2020, Krastev signed with Belgian First Division B team Lommel, part of the City Football Group, which immediately loaned him back to Slavia until the end of 2020.[6]
Loans
[edit]
On 28 January 2021, Krastev joined another City Football Group side, Troyes, on an 18-month loan deal.[7] On 27 August 2021, his loan deal with Troyes was cut short to allow him to join Eredivisie side Cambuur on a season-long loan deal.[8]
On 27 January 2022, Krastev returned to Bulgaria to sign for Levski Sofia on a six-month loan.[9] On 28 June 2022, his loan was extended for a further year.[10]
On 26 July 2023, Krastev joined Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC on loan until 30 June 2024, with a permanent transfer option.[11] He made his debut on 8 August in Leagues Cup match against Real Salt Lake, coming as a substitute in the 76th minute and scoring his debut goal in the 84th minute for the 4–0 win.
In January 2024, his loan deal with LAFC was terminated early. He returned to Europe to sign a loan deal with PEC Zwolle on 26 January.[12] He re-signed on loan with PEC Zwolle in July 2024.[13]
On 1 September 2025, Krastev joined EFL Championship club Oxford United on a season-long loan.[14] On 5 February, he was recalled by Lommel.[15] Later that day, he joined Süper Lig side Göztepe on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.[16]
International career
[edit]In August 2020, he received his first call up to the senior side for the UEFA Nations League in September, earning his first cap on 6 September, in a 1–0 away loss against Wales after coming on as a late second-half substitute for Todor Nedelev.[17] On 5 September 2024, he had a good first half performance in the 0:0 away draw with Belarus in a UEFA Nations League match, but was sent off after the break due to receiving a second yellow card.[18]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 1 October 2025[19]
| Club | Season | League | Cup[a] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Slavia Sofia | 2017–18 | First League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | First League | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2019–20 | First League | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 3 | |||
| Total | 30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 3 | ||
| Lommel | 2020–21 | Challenger Pro League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Slavia Sofia (loan) | 2020–21 | First League | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 15 | 1 | |
| Troyes (loan) | 2020–21 | Ligue 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Cambuur (loan) | 2021–22 | Eredivisie | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 5 | 1 | ||
| Levski Sofia (loan) | 2021–22 | First League | 12 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 3 | ||
| 2022–23 | First League | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 9 | |
| Total | 46 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 12 | ||
| Los Angeles FC (loan) | 2023 | MLS | 10 | 1 | — | — | 2[b] | 1 | 12 | 2 | ||
| PEC Zwolle (loan) | 2023–24 | Eredivisie | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25 | Eredivisie | 31 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 6 | |||
| Total | 45 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 46 | 8 | ||||
| Oxford United | 2025–26 | Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 157 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 170 | 27 | ||
- ^ Includes Bulgarian Cup, Belgian Cup, Coupe de France, KNVB Cup, FA Cup
- ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
International
[edit]- As of match played 18 November 2025[20]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | |
| Total | 28 | 2 | |
International goals
- Bulgaria score listed first, score column indicates score after each Krastev goal[20]
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 25 March 2024 | Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2024 FIFA Series | |
| 2. | 18 November 2025 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
[edit]Levski Sofia
Individual
- Eredivisie Player of the Month: January 2025[22]
- Eredivisie Team of the Month: January 2025[23]
References
[edit]- ^ "Профил на Филип Яворов Кръстев" (in Bulgarian). fpleague.bg. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "Юноша на Славия: В началото не говорих с никой" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Slavia Sofia 0–3 Lokomotiv Plovdiv". Soccerway. 13 May 2018.
- ^ "Талант на Славия: Не знаех, че бях най-добрият срещу Левски" (in Bulgarian). dsport.bg. 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Съобщение от Славия (София)" (in Bulgarian). pfcslavia.com. 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- ^ "Bulgaars toptalent belandt via Manchester City bij Lommel" [Bulgarian top talent ends up at Lommel through Manchester City] (in Dutch). sporza.be. 28 June 2020.
- ^ "FILIP KRASTEV JOINS ESTAC!" (in French). Troyes AC. 28 January 2021. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "DUBBELKLAPPER: GULLIT EN KRASTEV PER DIRECT NAAR SC CAMBUUR" (in Dutch). SC Cambuur. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ "ПФК Левски подписа с Филип Кръстев" (in Bulgarian). levski.bg. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Договорът за наем на Филип Кръстев бе удължен" (in Bulgarian). levski.bg. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "LAFC Acquires Midfielder Filip Krastev On Loan | Los Angeles Football Club". LAFC.
- ^ "Официално: Националът Филип Кръстев се завърна в Европа след приключението в Ел Ей | corner.dir.bg".
- ^ Heppenhuis, Merle (17 July 2024). "Middenvelder nam online al afscheid van PEC Zwolle, maar keert door bijzondere gang van zaken toch terug | PEC Zwolle" [Midfielder already said goodbye to PEC Zwolle online, but returns due to special state of affairs | PEC Zwolle]. De Stentor (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Bulgarian International Filip Krastev Joins Oxford United". www.oufc.co.uk. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ "Krastev's Oxford loan cut short". BBC. 5 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ "FILIP KRASTEV GÖZTEPE'MİZDE" (in Turkish). Göztepe S.K. 5 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ "Wales NT vs. Bulgaria NT 1:0". soccerway.com. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ "България стартира с равенство като гост в Лигата на нациите" (in Bulgarian). bfunion.bg. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Filip Krastev at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Filip Krastev (Player)". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ "Купата е синя! Левски удари ЦСКА за първи трофей от 13 години!". Gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ "Filip Krastev named Eredivisie player of the month for January". Eredivisie. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "N.E.C. Nijmegen and RKC Waalwijk main suppliers to the Eredivisie Team of the Month for January". Eredivisie. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
External links
[edit]- Filip Krastev at Soccerway.com
- Filip Krastev at WorldFootball.net
- Filip Krastev at Soccerbase.com
- Filip Krastev at National-Football-Teams.com
- Filip Krastev at FBref.com
- Filip Krastev at kicker (in German)
- Filip Krastev at the Turkish Football Federation
- Filip Krastev at Major League Soccer
- Filip Krastev at EU-Football.info
- Filip Krastev at L'Équipe (in French)
Filip Krastev
View on GrokipediaEarly life and youth career
Early life
Filip Krastev was born on 15 October 2001 in Sofia, Bulgaria.[5][10][11] Little is publicly known about his family background or specific early influences, though he grew up in Sofia, a city renowned for its vibrant football culture as the home of prominent Bulgarian clubs.[8]Youth career at Slavia Sofia
Krastev joined Slavia Sofia's youth academy in 2010 at the age of eight, marking the start of his structured football development with one of Bulgaria's prominent clubs.[5][4][12] Throughout his time in the academy, Krastev progressed through the club's age-group teams, focusing on his role as an attacking midfielder.[5] By 2018, after eight years in the system, Krastev earned promotion to the senior squad, reflecting his internal advancement and readiness for professional football.[5][12]Club career
Slavia Sofia (2018–2020)
Krastev made his professional debut for Slavia Sofia on 13 May 2018, entering as a substitute in the 72nd minute during a 0–3 home defeat to Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian First League, at the age of 16 years and 210 days.[13][14] Having developed through the club's youth academy since joining in 2010, this match represented his transition to senior football with his boyhood team.[4] During his time with Slavia Sofia from 2018 to 2020, Krastev accumulated 34 appearances and 3 goals across all competitions, gradually earning more regular playing time in the First League.[15] His breakthrough came in the 2019–20 season, where he featured more prominently as an attacking midfielder, contributing to the team's mid-table finish. Notable among his contributions was his first senior goal, scored on 24 February 2020, when he netted Slavia's second in a 3–1 league win over Dunav Ruse, equalizing before the team pulled ahead.[16] Later that season, on 4 July 2020, Krastev delivered the decisive goal in a 2–1 comeback victory against rivals Levski Sofia, striking in the second half to secure the points after trailing at halftime.[17] These moments, combined with his technical skill and vision on the ball, positioned him as a standout young prospect in Bulgarian football.[18]2020–2021: Transfer to Lommel and loan return to Slavia Sofia
In June 2020, shortly after City Football Group (CFG) completed its acquisition of Belgian second-division club Lommel SK in May of that year, Lommel announced a permanent transfer agreement for Filip Krastev from Slavia Sofia.[19][20] The deal, valued at approximately €2.3 million, was finalized on 2 July 2020, marking Krastev's entry into CFG's global network of clubs as an 18-year-old prospect.[20] This move positioned him for long-term development within the group's ecosystem, leveraging Lommel's role as a pathway for young talents. To facilitate a smooth transition and continued playing time in a familiar environment, Krastev was immediately loaned back to Slavia Sofia for the entirety of the 2020–21 season.[4] The arrangement allowed him to remain in the Bulgarian First League while technically under Lommel's contract, aligning with CFG's strategy of gradual integration for academy products.[4] During the loan period, Krastev featured in 14 matches for Slavia Sofia, scoring one goal and providing limited assists as a rotational attacking midfielder.[21] His contributions helped the team secure the Bulgarian league title that season, though his role was more developmental amid competition from established squad members.[21] Krastev adapted to the demands of title-chasing football by maintaining consistent involvement in domestic fixtures, despite the underlying shift in his professional affiliation to a foreign ownership group.2021: Loans to Troyes and SC Cambuur
In January 2021, Krastev joined Ligue 2 club ESTAC Troyes on an 18-month loan from Lommel SK, another club within the City Football Group network.[22] During his stint, he made two substitute appearances in the league, totaling 45 minutes played, as Troyes secured promotion to Ligue 1 by finishing second in the 2020–21 season.[4] His time at Troyes was brief, with the loan terminated early on 27 August 2021 to enable a switch to the Netherlands. That same day, Krastev moved to Eredivisie side SC Cambuur on a season-long loan from Lommel SK. At Cambuur, opportunities remained limited; he featured in three Eredivisie matches as a substitute, accumulating 37 minutes, and made two appearances in the KNVB Cup, where he scored his sole goal of the spell in a 5–0 group stage win over Ajax Amateurs on 28 October 2021.[23] The loans offered Krastev initial exposure to the tactical demands of Ligue 2's possession-oriented play and the Eredivisie's high-intensity pressing, though his minimal minutes—under 100 across both spells—reflected intense competition for midfield positions at clubs pushing for promotion and survival, respectively.[24] The Cambuur loan concluded in January 2022 after just five months.2022–2023: Loan to Levski Sofia
On 27 January 2022, Krastev joined Levski Sofia on a six-month loan from Lommel SK, marking his return to Bulgarian football after brief spells abroad. The move allowed him to feature regularly in the Parva Liga and domestic cups, providing a platform to rebuild his form following limited minutes in the Netherlands and France. His loan was extended on 28 June 2022 for an additional year, enabling a full season with the club.[25] During the loan period spanning the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, Krastev made 46 appearances in the Bulgarian First League, scoring 11 goals and contributing key moments in Levski's push for European qualification. Overall, across all competitions, he featured in 56 matches, netting 12 goals and providing 11 assists, showcasing his versatility as an attacking midfielder. His performances helped Levski finish fourth in the league in 2022–23, securing a spot in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.[26][10] Krastev's contributions were particularly notable in high-stakes fixtures. He scored his first goal for Levski on 19 February 2022, a right-footed finish in a 2–1 home victory over Lokomotiv Plovdiv, which aided the team's climb up the standings. In the Bulgarian Cup, he played a pivotal role in the final on 15 May 2022 against rivals CSKA Sofia at the Vasil Levski National Stadium; Krastev delivered the assist for Ilian Stefanov's 89th-minute winner in a 1–0 triumph, ending Levski's 13-year wait for silverware and claiming their record 26th Cup title. These moments, alongside consistent goals and assists in routine league games, highlighted his growing influence during one of Levski's more stable campaigns.[27]2023: Loan to Los Angeles FC
On July 26, 2023, Filip Krastev joined Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC on a season-long loan from Lommel SK, running until June 2024 with an option for a permanent transfer.[4] This move followed his productive loan at Levski Sofia, where he had demonstrated strong attacking contributions in the Bulgarian First League.[28] Krastev, then 21, was expected to provide depth in midfield for LAFC, a team featuring high-profile talents such as Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga, both key figures in the club's 2022 MLS Cup victory.[4] Krastev made an immediate impact, debuting in the Leagues Cup on August 8, 2023, against Real Salt Lake, where he scored in the 84th minute to seal a 4-0 win, marking the fastest debut goal in club history. Across all competitions, he appeared in 12 matches, including 10 in MLS regular season play, logging limited minutes primarily as a substitute and scoring once in league action against Minnesota United on October 4, 2023. In a podcast interview shortly after joining, Krastev discussed adapting to the MLS's fast pace and physical demands, which contrasted with his European experiences, noting the league's emphasis on quick transitions and aggressive pressing that aligned with LAFC's style.[29] He highlighted the supportive team environment, expressing comfort in integrating with teammates who aided his adjustment to the American soccer rhythm.[30] Despite contributing to LAFC's 2023 Western Conference title run, Krastev's role remained peripheral, with just 149 minutes in MLS matches. On January 27, 2024, LAFC and Lommel SK mutually agreed to terminate the loan early, allowing Krastev to return to Europe after a brief but notable stint in Major League Soccer.[31] In a later reflection, he described the period as a transitional phase in his career, appreciating the exposure but prioritizing opportunities in top European competitions.[32]2024–2025: Loan to PEC Zwolle
On 27 January 2024, Krastev joined PEC Zwolle on loan from Lommel SK until the end of the 2023–24 season, providing midfield depth following the termination of his previous loan in Major League Soccer.[33] In July 2024, the loan was extended for the full 2024–25 Eredivisie campaign, allowing him to build on his earlier brief exposure to the Dutch top flight during a 2021 loan at SC Cambuur. Over the course of his stint, Krastev featured in 45 Eredivisie appearances for Zwolle, scoring 8 goals and recording 6 assists while accumulating over 3,000 minutes of playing time.[34][35] Krastev's integration into Zwolle's squad was marked by consistent starts and progressive contributions, transitioning from a substitute role in the initial months to a key attacking midfielder by mid-season. His goals came against a range of opponents, including high-profile strikes against Feyenoord in August 2024 and a brace in a 3–2 upset victory over PSV Eindhoven on 18 January 2025, where he also assisted the winner. These performances highlighted his technical ability in tight spaces and vision for counter-attacks, often exploiting transitions in Zwolle's 4-2-3-1 setup.[35] A standout period arrived in January 2025, during which Krastev netted three goals and added one assist across two matches, including his double against PSV and a goal in a 2–1 win over Fortuna Sittard on 26 January. This goal-scoring run, combined with 22 ball recoveries and strong Opta-rated involvement in build-up play, earned him the Eredivisie Player of the Month award for January, as voted by fans and analysts.[7][36] Later in the season, he continued contributing with goals against Heracles Almelo, RKC Waalwijk, and assists in draws against Utrecht and Almere City, underscoring his role in Zwolle's push for mid-table security.[35]2025–present: Loan to Oxford United
On 1 September 2025, Filip Krastev joined EFL Championship club Oxford United on a season-long loan from Belgian side Lommel SK.[3] The 23-year-old Bulgarian international, known for his versatility as an attacking midfielder and left winger, signed the deal to gain experience in English football's second tier.[37] Krastev quickly adapted to the demands of the Championship, often deployed on the left side of midfield where his technical skills and vision contributed to Oxford's attacking play. By late October 2025, he had made four appearances, including a debut start in a 2–2 draw against Leicester City on 13 September, where he played 72 minutes and showed promise in linking play.[38] His subsequent outing came in a 3–1 victory over Bristol City on 21 September, again starting on the left and completing 72 minutes while registering an assist in the build-up to one of the goals.[38] Krastev's prior loan at PEC Zwolle in the Dutch Eredivisie during the 2024–25 season served as valuable preparation for the physical intensity of English football.[5] As of 17 November 2025, Krastev had featured in eight Championship matches for Oxford United, accumulating 527 minutes without recording a goal or assist but demonstrating growing influence in key early fixtures, such as a 79-minute appearance in a 2–1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on 8 November.[10] His integration into the squad has been marked by consistent starts, highlighting his adjustment to the league's pace and his role in supporting Oxford's promotion push.[39] In November 2025, Krastev was called up to the Bulgaria national team for their FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Turkey (0–2 loss on 15 November, in which he played) and Georgia on 18 November.[40][41][42] This selection, part of a 25-man squad, underscores his rising form at club level and his continued importance to the senior international setup, where he has earned over 20 caps.[3]International career
Youth international career
Krastev began his international career at the youth level with Bulgaria's U17 team, earning two caps during the 2017–2018 period as part of qualification efforts for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[43] He progressed to the U19 squad in 2019, where he featured in three matches and netted two goals, contributing to friendly and qualifying fixtures ahead of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[44] These appearances highlighted his emerging attacking talent in the youth setup. Krastev's most prominent youth international stint was with the Bulgaria U21 team from 2021 to 2022, accumulating 11 caps and one goal across UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers and friendlies, including a goalless draw against the Netherlands in March 2022.[45][9] His performances in these games underscored his role as a creative midfielder, aiding the team's competitive efforts in regional tournaments.Senior international career
Filip Krastev made his senior debut for the Bulgaria national team on 6 September 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute during a 1–0 away defeat to Wales in the UEFA Nations League.[8][46] At just 18 years old, his introduction marked him as one of Bulgaria's promising young talents transitioning from youth levels.[14] As of November 2025, Krastev has earned 24 caps for Bulgaria, scoring one goal.[46][47] His international appearances have primarily come in UEFA Nations League fixtures and friendlies, where he has often been deployed as an attacking midfielder or winger, contributing to Bulgaria's midfield creativity.[48] Krastev scored his lone senior international goal on 25 March 2024, netting in the 59th minute during a 1–1 friendly draw against Azerbaijan in the FIFA Series, assisted by Kiril Despodov.[49][50] Another notable moment came on 5 September 2024, when he featured in a 0–0 UEFA Nations League draw with Belarus but received a second yellow card in the 73rd minute, resulting in his dismissal.[51][52] In November 2025, Krastev received a call-up to the Bulgaria squad for international fixtures, aiming to build on his experience amid the team's ongoing campaigns.[53]Playing style
Positions and attributes
Filip Krastev primarily operates as a left winger or attacking midfielder, often deployed on the left side of the attack where his right-footed preference allows him to cut inside effectively.[5][15][46] He has also featured in central midfield roles during various loans, adapting to more defensive responsibilities when required.[5][54] Krastev's playing style is characterized by a direct, hard-charging approach, emphasizing technical dribbling into midfield areas to create opportunities.[55][54] His key strengths include exceptional dribbling ability, strong defensive contributions through tackling involvement, proficiency in long-range shooting, and effective passing, particularly with layoffs to teammates.[54] He frequently gets fouled due to his aggressive ball-carrying, which underscores his bold, forward-driven presence on the pitch.[54][55] However, Krastev's aggressive tendencies lead to weaknesses in discipline, as he commits fouls often and sometimes struggles with holding onto the ball under pressure.[54] These traits reflect a high-energy, combative profile that demands careful management to maximize his creative impact.[54]Comparisons and development
Krastev's playing style has evolved significantly since his breakthrough as a teenager at Slavia Sofia, where he debuted in senior football at age 16, showcasing a direct, hard-charging approach characterized by aggressive dribbling and forward surges into attacking areas. This youthful directness, marked by his tendency to take on defenders and contribute key passes, laid the foundation for his transition to more advanced playmaking roles during subsequent loans across Europe.[54] His attributes in dribbling and tackling have remained central, enabling him to adapt from raw, individualistic bursts to creating structured opportunities for teammates.[54] Loans in competitive leagues like the Eredivisie have accelerated this development, with Krastev crediting his stint at PEC Zwolle for honing his decision-making and concentration in high-tempo environments. The league's fast, open style suits young talents by demanding quick transitions and technical precision, allowing him to refine his ball control and long-range shooting into a more complete advanced playmaker profile.[56] During his time there, he scored six goals in 31 appearances, demonstrating growth in converting direct runs into goal-creating actions.[55] Analysts have drawn comparisons to dynamic, high-energy athletes, noting Krastev's hard-charging midfield presence resembles the explosive, direct style of NBA star Russell Westbrook, particularly in his relentless drive forward and ability to influence play through sheer intensity.[8] This reception highlights his suitability for open, transitional systems, where his technical dribbling excels at generating chances "out of nothing," as praised by Dutch journalist Erik Riemens: "He’s a very technical player—he can make a difference and make a goal or a lovely pass out of nothing."[55] Such qualities have positioned him as a promising creator in simulations of advanced midfield roles, emphasizing his evolution toward versatile, goal-facilitating contributions.Career statistics
Club
Krastev began his professional career with Slavia Sofia in 2018, accumulating statistics across various clubs through loans and transfers. The following table details his club appearances, goals, and assists by season, club, and competition, as of November 17, 2025.[57]| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Slavia Sofia | efbet Liga - Relegation | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Slavia Sofia | efbet Liga | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Slavia Sofia | efbet Liga - Relegation | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Slavia Sofia | UEFA Europa League Qual. | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Slavia Sofia | Bulgarian Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Slavia Sofia | Bulgarian Cup Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Slavia Sofia | Bulgarian Super Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018/19 Total | Slavia Sofia | All Competitions | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | Slavia Sofia | efbet Liga | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019/20 | Slavia Sofia | efbet Liga - Championship | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | Slavia Sofia | Bulgarian Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019/20 Total | Slavia Sofia | All Competitions | 16 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020/21 | Slavia Sofia | efbet Liga | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020/21 | Slavia Sofia | UEFA Europa League Qual. | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020/21 | ESTAC Troyes | Ligue 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020/21 Total | Slavia Sofia / Troyes | All Competitions | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | SC Cambuur | Eredivisie | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | SC Cambuur | Eredivisie Playoffs | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | Levski Sofia | efbet Liga | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021/22 | Levski Sofia | efbet Liga - Championship | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021/22 | Levski Sofia | Bulgarian Cup Playoffs | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021/22 Total | Cambuur / Levski Sofia | All Competitions | 21 | 4 | 5 |
| 2022/23 | Levski Sofia | efbet Liga | 28 | 6 | 4 |
| 2022/23 | Levski Sofia | efbet Liga - Championship | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | Levski Sofia | UEFA Conference League Qual. | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | Levski Sofia | Bulgarian Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022/23 | Levski Sofia | Bulgarian Cup Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022/23 | Levski Sofia | Bulgarian Super Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022/23 Total | Levski Sofia | All Competitions | 40 | 9 | 6 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles FC | Major League Soccer | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles FC | Leagues Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles FC | MLS Cup Playoffs | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 Total | Los Angeles FC | All Competitions | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | PEC Zwolle | Eredivisie | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023/24 Total | PEC Zwolle | All Competitions | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | PEC Zwolle | Eredivisie | 31 | 6 | 6 |
| 2024/25 | PEC Zwolle | Eredivisie Playoffs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024/25 Total | PEC Zwolle | All Competitions | 32 | 6 | 6 |
| 2025/26 | Oxford United | Championship | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025/26 Total | Oxford United | All Competitions | 8 | 0 | 0 |
International
Krastev made his debut for the Bulgaria senior national team on 6 September 2020, in a 1–0 away victory over Wales during the UEFA Nations League, marking an early highlight following his breakthrough at Slavia Sofia.[9] As of 17 November 2025, he has accumulated 27 caps and 1 goal at senior level. His most recent appearances came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including a substitute role in a 1–6 home defeat to Turkey on 11 October, a full match in a 4–0 away loss to Spain on 14 October, and an appearance in a 0–2 away defeat to Turkey on 15 November.[58] The following table summarizes his senior international appearances and goals by year:| Year | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 1 |
| Youth Team | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| U17 | 2 | 0 |
| U19 | 3 | 2 |
| U21 | 11 | 1 |
| Total | 16 | 3 |
Honours
Club honours
During his loan spell at Levski Sofia in the 2021–22 season, Krastev contributed to the team's success in winning the Bulgarian Cup, defeating CSKA Sofia in the final.[60] With ESTAC Troyes in the 2020–21 Ligue 2 season, he was part of the squad that secured promotion as champions of the French second tier.Individual awards
In January 2025, during his loan spell at PEC Zwolle from Lommel SK, Krastev was named the Eredivisie Player of the Month, recognizing his standout performances that included key contributions in goals and assists as determined by Opta data and fan votes.[7]References
- https://www.[transfermarkt](/page/Transfermarkt).com/filip-krastev/erfolge/spieler/486814
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