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Spas Delev
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Spas Borislavov Delev (Bulgarian: Спас Бориславов Делев; born 22 September 1989) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Lokomotiv Sofia.[2]
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Youth career
[edit]Born in Klyuch, part of Petrich Municipality, Delev started to play football in Pirin.[3] During the season 2007–08 he played for the team in the Bulgarian amateur division. Pirin took first place and were promoted to the "B" professional football group. On 9 August 2008 Delev made his debut in professional football in a match against Botev Krivodol. In this match he scored his first goal in B PFG. In the first half of 2008–09 season Delev scored 8 goals in 16 matches.
New Pirin
[edit]After the union of the two Pirin clubs from Blagoevgrad in December 2008, Delev joined the part of the team, which plays in the top division. On 4 March 2009, he scored a goal in a match against CSKA Sofia for the Bulgarian Cup and Pirin eliminated their opponent. In the semi-final of that tournament against Levski, Delev had a tragic accident. After a spasm of the lungs he remained lying on the grass, and was later sent to the emergency hospital.[4] It was later found that he had played while suffering from the flu.
Delev made his A PFG debut on 8 March, in a match against Cherno More. On 5 April, he scored twice against Belasitsa Petrich. Those were his first goals in A PFG. On 11 June, Delev was named the Best Young Footballer of the 2008–09 season in Bulgaria. Just 19, Delev's goals helped Pirin to reach the Bulgarian Cup final.
CSKA Sofia
[edit]
On 27 June 2009, Delev joined CSKA on one-year loan for 2009–10 and later signed a three-year contract. He scored his first goal for CSKA in the second-leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off of against Dynamo Moscow on 27 August 2009, bringing the score to 1–1 with a header.[5] Delev netted the third goal in the victory over The New Saints in the UEFA Europa League play-off.[6] On 16 December 2010, he found the net in a 1–3 away loss to F.C. Porto in the Europa League group stage.[7] He also scored two goals in the Bulgarian Cup semi-final against Litex Lovech on 20 April 2011,[8] as well as the winning goal against Slavia Sofia in the final on 25 May 2011.[9] During the 2010–11 season he managed 13 goals in the league.
Mersin Idmanyurdu
[edit]On 12 January 2012, Delev signed a 3,5-year contract with Turkish side Mersin İdmanyurdu.[10] Delev's debut came on 15 January, in a 0–2 home loss against Antalyaspor in a Süper Lig match, during which he appeared as a second-half substitute.[11] On 24 January, Delev netted his first goal for the team, opening the scoring in a 1–2 home loss against Kayserispor.[12] In June 2012, he dissolved his contract due to financial reasons.[13]
CSKA Sofia
[edit]After seven months without a club, Delev returned to CSKA Sofia on 31 January 2013.[14]
Las Palmas
[edit]On 30 July 2013, Delev completed his move to Las Palmas on a free transfer.[15] He signed a two-year contract and was given the number 22 shirt.
Pogoń Szczecin
[edit]On 20 June 2016, Delev signed for Polish side Pogoń Szczecin on a three-year contract.[16] He made his Ekstraklasa debut on 16 July, replacing Mateusz Lewandowski in the 66th minute of Pogoń's 2–1 loss against Wisła Kraków.[17] He scored his first goal in a 4–0 away win against Kalisz in a game of Polish Cup on 10 August. His first league goals for Pogon came on 29 October when he scored twice in a 2–1 home win over Ruch Chorzów. He scored a brace in a 2-4 away win against Nieciecza, on 17 March 2018.
Ludogorets Razgrad
[edit]In December 2021, Delev joined Ludogorets Razgrad.[18]
Lokomotiv Sofia
[edit]On 31 December 2024, he was confirmed as a new signing of Lokomotiv Sofia.[19]
International career
[edit]In October 2008, the Bulgaria under-21s manager Ivan Kolev called Delev into the Bulgaria U21 team for the friendly matches with Greece and Macedonia.
He made his debut for the senior side on 26 March 2011, in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Switzerland.[20] On 4 June 2011, he came on as a substitute in the qualifier against Montenegro.[21]
His first Bulgaria goals came on his 14th appearance on 25 March 2017, scoring twice in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Netherlands, which ended in a 2–0 victory.[22]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of 18 July 2025
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Pirin Blagoevgrad | 2007–08 | A Group | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 8 | ||
| 2008–09 | A Group | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 4 | |||
| Total | 26 | 11 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 29 | 12 | ||||
| CSKA Sofia | 2009–10 | A Group | 26 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7[a] | 1 | — | 36 | 4 | |
| 2010–11 | A Group | 26 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 8[a] | 2 | — | 38 | 21 | ||
| 2011–12 | A Group | 13 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2[a] | 0 | — | 16 | 5 | ||
| Total | 65 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 3 | — | 90 | 30 | |||
| Mersin İdmanyurdu | 2011–12 | Süper Lig | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 2 | ||
| CSKA Sofia | 2012–13 | A Group | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 5 | ||
| Las Palmas | 2013–14 | Segunda División | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 2013–14 | A Group | 13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 1 | ||
| 2014–15 | A Group | 9 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 13 | 3 | |||
| Total | 22 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | — | 29 | 4 | ||||
| Beroe Stara Zagora | 2015–16 | A Group | 29 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4[a] | 4 | — | 37 | 8 | |
| 2016–17 | A Group | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 29 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | — | 37 | 8 | |||
| Pogoń Szczecin | 2016–17 | Ekstraklasa | 30 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 35 | 5 | ||
| 2017–18 | Ekstraklasa | 28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 5 | |||
| 2018–19 | Ekstraklasa | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 2 | |||
| Total | 72 | 11 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 78 | 12 | ||||
| Arda Kardzhali | 2019–20 | First League | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21 | First League | 26 | 8 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 31 | 10 | |||
| 2021–22 | First League | 18 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2[b] | 0 | — | 22 | 6 | ||
| Total | 63 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 74 | 17 | |||
| Ludogorets Razgrad | 2021–22 | First League | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | First League | 30 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 15[c] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 8 | |
| 2023–24 | First League | 28 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 14[d] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 4 | |
| 2024–25 | First League | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4[e] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 4 | |
| Total | 80 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 17 | ||
| Ludogorets Razgrad II | 2022–23 | Second League | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24 | Second League | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25 | Second League | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||
| Lokomotiv Sofia | 2024–25 | First League | 18 | 7 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 7 | ||
| 2025–26 | First League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 19 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 7 | ||
| Career total | 413 | 86 | 51 | 19 | 56 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 520 | 114 | ||
- ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League
- ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Conference League
- ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League, six appearances in UEFA Conference League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
International
[edit]- As of match played 16 November 2023
| Bulgaria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | 9 | 1 |
| Total | 47 | 5 |
International goals
[edit]Scores and results list Bulgaria's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
25 March 2017 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria |  Netherlands |
1–0 |
2–0 |
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
2 |
2–0
| |||||
3 |
8 September 2021 |  Georgia |
3–0 | 4–1 | Friendly | |
4 |
16 November 2022 | AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis, Larnaca, Cyprus |  Cyprus |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
5 |
16 November 2023 | Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria |  Hungary |
1–1 | 2–2 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
Honours
[edit]Pirin Blagoevgrad
- Bulgarian Cup runner-up: 2009
CSKA Sofia
- Bulgarian Championship runner-up: 2010
- Bulgarian Cup: 2011
Arda Kardzhali
- Bulgarian Cup runner-up: 2021
Ludogorets Razgrad
- Bulgarian First League: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- Bulgarian Supercup: 2022, 2023
- Bulgarian Cup: 2022–23
Individual
- Bulgarian Best Young Player of the Season: 2008–09
- Bulgarian First League Goal of the Week: 2021–22 (Week 3) v. Levski Sofia[23], (Week 13) v. CSKA 1948[24],
References
[edit]- ^ "Българите с половин сантиметър по-високи" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. 1 September 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ^ "Bulgaria - S. Delev - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ke.soccerway.com. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Заради любовта към село Ключ, Делев отказа 2 млн. от Кьолн" (in Bulgarian). Livesport.bg. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ [1] Net Info
- ^ "Велик ЦСКА! Динамо (Москва) на колене пред евробоеца на България". Спортал.бг. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "ЦСКА се докопа до 3:0 срещу Дъ Ню Сейнтс". Sportline.bg. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "ЦСКА не стигна до чудо в Порто, "чeрвените" загубиха с 1:3". Топспорт.бг. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Радуканов пропя сръбско за ЦСКА, героят Делев се качва на трактор заради купата". Standartnews.com. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "CSKA Sofia-Slavia Sofia Match Report (1–0)". soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ "Mersin İdmanyurdu sign CSKA Sofia striker Spas Delev". turkish-football.com. 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012.
- ^ "Mersin İdmanyurdu vs. Antalyaspor 0–2". soccerway.com. 19 January 2012.
- ^ "Mersin İdmanyurduL vs. Kayserispor 1–2". soccerway.com. 25 January 2012.
- ^ "Спас Делев заряза Мерсин" (in Bulgarian). novsport.com. 27 June 2012.
- ^ "Спас Делев подписа с ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 31 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013.
- ^ "Spas Delev will play in Spain". daily-news.eu. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013.
- ^ "SPAS DELEV PIŁKARZEM POGONI" (in Polish). pogonszczecin.pl. 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Wisła Kraków 2–1 Pogoń Szczecin". soccerway.com. 16 July 2016.
- ^ "Лудогорец обяви привличането на Спас Делев" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Georgiev, Mihail (31 December 2024). "Спас Делев ще къса мрежи за Локомотив (София)!" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Bulgaria and Switzerland draw a blank". Uefa.com. 26 March 2011.
- ^ "Montenegro 1–1 Bulgaria". Uefa.com. 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Bulgaria 2-0 Netherlands: Spas Delev's double earns Ivaylo Petev's side shock win over Dutch".
- ^ "Спас Делев с красив гол след безумна грешка на Михайлов".
- ^ https://www.vbox7.com/play:ac4711a277
External links
[edit]- Spas Delev at Soccerway
- Spas Delev at 90minut.pl (in Polish)
Spas Delev
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Club career
Youth career
Spas Delev was born on 22 September 1989 in Klyuch, a small village in southwestern Bulgaria, where he developed an early passion for football amid the local rural surroundings.[1] Growing up in the Petrich Municipality area, Delev's initial exposure to organized football came through community play, leading him to pursue formal training as a young talent. At the age of eight, Delev joined the youth academy of Belasitsa Petrich in 1997, marking the start of his structured development in the sport.[1] Over the next nine years, until 2006, he progressed through the club's youth ranks, focusing on building foundational skills in a competitive environment that emphasized ball control and tactical awareness typical of Bulgarian youth systems. This period laid the groundwork for his technical proficiency, particularly on the flanks. In 2006, Delev transferred to the youth setup of Pirin Blagoevgrad, where he continued his advancement as a versatile winger until 2008.[1] During this time, he refined his speed and dribbling abilities, adapting to higher-level youth competitions that prepared him for professional opportunities. His standout performances culminated in being named the Association of Professional Footballers in Bulgaria's (APFG) Young Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season, highlighting his emergence as one of the country's most promising prospects.[5]Pirin Blagoevgrad
Spas Delev signed his first professional contract with Pirin Blagoevgrad in 2008 at the age of 18, marking his transition from the club's youth academy to the senior team. He made his professional debut that year in the Bulgarian First League, the top tier of Bulgarian football.[6] During the 2008–09 season, Delev established himself as a right winger, known for his speed and dribbling ability, which allowed him to create scoring opportunities on the flanks. He featured in 12 league appearances, scoring 3 goals, and made 4 appearances in the Bulgarian Cup with 1 goal and 1 assist. Notable contributions included a brace in a 4–1 league victory over Belasitsa Petrich on April 5, 2009, and a goal in the Bulgarian Cup quarter-final 1–1 draw (5–3 on penalties) against CSKA Sofia on March 4, 2009. These performances helped Pirin secure 10th place in the league with 35 points, avoiding direct relegation in a season where the bottom two teams, Vihren Sandanski and Belasitsa Petrich, were demoted.[7][8][9][10] Delev played a key role in Pirin's run to the 2009 Bulgarian Cup final, providing an assist for the only goal in the semi-final 1–0 victory over Levski Sofia on April 29, 2009. He was part of the squad for the final against Litex Lovech on May 26, 2009, at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia, where Pirin suffered a 3–0 defeat, finishing as runners-up. This marked Delev's first experience in a major national final at the age of 19.[11] Following the season, Delev joined CSKA Sofia on loan in July 2009, with the move becoming permanent in 2010 for a reported €230,000 transfer fee. His departure coincided with emerging financial difficulties at Pirin Blagoevgrad, which intensified and led to the club's expulsion from the First League in 2011 due to unpaid debts to the National Revenue Agency and other creditors.[12]CSKA Sofia
Delev joined CSKA Sofia on a one-year loan from Pirin Blagoevgrad on 27 June 2009, marking his entry into one of Bulgaria's top clubs. During the 2009–10 season, he made 26 league appearances and scored 2 goals, while also contributing in cup and European competitions with additional 9 appearances and 2 goals across the Bulgarian Cup, UEFA Europa League qualifiers, and group stage. This period allowed him to adapt to the pressures of top-tier football, building on his prior experience at Pirin Blagoevgrad where he had honed his skills in the Parva Liga. Following the successful loan, Delev signed a permanent three-year contract with CSKA Sofia in 2010. Over the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, he emerged as a key attacker, recording 39 league appearances and 16 goals, supplemented by 12 cup and European matches where he added 9 goals. His standout performances included 13 league goals in 2010–11, helping CSKA challenge for the title, and crucial strikes in European qualifiers. Delev's versatility as a winger and forward became integral to the team's attacking play, with his pace and finishing earning praise from coaches. A highlight of Delev's time at CSKA was his role in winning the 2011 Bulgarian Cup, CSKA's 20th triumph in the competition. In the semi-final against Litex Lovech on 20 April 2011, Delev scored the opening goal in a 2–1 victory, assisting CSKA's progression. He then netted the decisive goal in the final against Slavia Sofia on 25 May 2011, heading in a cross from Marquinhos in the 39th minute for a 1–0 win. These contributions underscored his importance in cup successes, cementing his status among fans.[13] After stints abroad, Delev returned to CSKA Sofia on 31 January 2013 as a free agent, signing until the end of the season. In the second half of the 2012–13 campaign, he made 14 league appearances and scored 5 goals, along with 2 cup outings, providing a brief but impactful comeback amid the club's title push. This stint totaled 16 appearances and 5 goals, showcasing his continued familiarity with the team despite international experience. Across his three stints from 2009 to 2013, Delev amassed 107 appearances and 36 goals in all competitions for CSKA Sofia, establishing himself as a fan favorite through his consistent contributions to league challenges and the memorable cup victory.Mersin İdmanyurdu
In January 2012, following a successful spell at CSKA Sofia where he contributed significantly to their domestic campaigns, Spas Delev transferred to Turkish Süper Lig club Mersin İdmanyurdu on a reported 3.5-year contract.[14] The move marked his first experience abroad, with Delev debuting as a substitute in a 0–2 home defeat to Antalyaspor on 15 January 2012. During the 2011–12 Süper Lig season, Delev made 12 appearances for Mersin İdmanyurdu, scoring 2 goals, mostly coming off the bench as the team battled relegation, ultimately finishing 15th and surviving via playoffs. His first goal arrived on 24 January 2012, opening the scoring in a 1–2 home loss to Kayserispor with a right-footed effort assisted by Mert Nobre.[15] The second came on 3 March 2012, a left-footed strike in the 16th minute assisted by Barış Ataş, securing a 1–0 victory over Orduspor that provided crucial points in the relegation fight. These moments stood out in an otherwise limited role, as Delev struggled for consistent starts amid the club's precarious position. Delev's stint ended prematurely in July 2012 when Mersin İdmanyurdu terminated his contract after he failed to report for pre-season training camp, despite it running until 2015; he subsequently became a free agent for seven months before rejoining CSKA Sofia in January 2013.[16] This brief period highlighted initial challenges in adapting to the physical demands and competitive intensity of the Turkish top flight, resulting in subdued overall impact during his half-season tenure.[17]Las Palmas
In July 2013, Spas Delev joined UD Las Palmas of the Spanish Segunda División on a free transfer from CSKA Sofia, marking his return to European football following a stint in Turkey. This move represented a stepping stone abroad after his experience at Mersin İdmanyurdu.[18] Delev featured in just seven matches during the 2013–14 season—six in the league and one in the Copa del Rey—without registering a goal, often limited to a substitute role amid stiff competition from the club's established wingers such as Nauzet Alemán.[19] Under manager Sergio Lobera, he trained within a system emphasizing possession and technical play, characteristic of Spanish second-division tactics at the time.[20] Delev's brief spell in the Canary Islands provided an opportunity to adjust to a new cultural and footballing environment, though his minimal impact on the pitch contributed to no contract extension being offered.[21] He departed in January 2014 for Lokomotiv Plovdiv after Las Palmas secured a mid-table ninth-place finish in the league.Lokomotiv Plovdiv
After a disappointing spell abroad with Mersin İdmanyurdu and Las Palmas, where he struggled for playing time and impact, Spas Delev returned to Bulgarian football by joining Lokomotiv Plovdiv on a free transfer from Las Palmas on 19 February 2014.[18] The move was intended to provide stability and allow him to rebuild his career in familiar surroundings, signing what was reported as a two-year deal to commit through the 2015–16 season.[1] During his time at Lokomotiv Plovdiv spanning the latter part of the 2013–14 season and the full 2014–15 campaign, Delev made 21 appearances and scored 2 goals across all competitions, contributing to the team's mid-table position with a 10th-place finish in the 2014–15 A Group.[22] As a versatile winger capable of playing on either flank or in attacking midfield, he provided creativity and directness from wide areas, notably scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against rivals CSKA Sofia on 17 May 2014, helping secure a point in a key derby match.[23] His performances showed improved consistency compared to his overseas stints, with regular starts helping him regain confidence under the guidance of coaches including Nedelcho Matushev and Hristo Kolev.[24] Delev departed Lokomotiv Plovdiv at the end of the 2014–15 season, moving to Beroe Stara Zagora on a free transfer in June 2015 amid ongoing club instability, including an ownership change from Konstantin Dinev to the supporters' association "Future for Lokomotiv" earlier that year, which led to wage delays and player unrest.[25] The exit was motivated by his desire for greater opportunities at a more competitive club.[18]Beroe Stara Zagora
Delev joined Beroe Stara Zagora from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the summer of 2015, signing a one-year contract following a season where he had regained consistency in the Bulgarian top flight.[18] During the 2015–16 campaign, he emerged as a key attacking figure, making 29 league appearances and contributing 7 goals across all competitions—his most productive period in domestic football up to that point.[26][27] His performances were instrumental in Beroe's successful season, as the team secured a 4th-place finish in the A Group, qualifying for European competition, and advanced to the semi-finals of the Bulgarian Cup, where they were eliminated by Levski Sofia.[28] Delev's pace and direct running style complemented the forward line, particularly in partnership with Brazilian striker Vinícius, enabling effective counter-attacks that exploited transitions against defensive setups.[29] Upon the expiry of his contract in June 2016, Delev departed Beroe as a free agent after unilaterally terminating his agreement, drawing interest from clubs abroad for his resurgent form.[30]Pogoń Szczecin
In the summer of 2016, following a strong season with Beroe Stara Zagora where he contributed 9 goals and assists to their third-place finish in the Bulgarian First League, Spas Delev signed a three-year contract with Polish Ekstraklasa club Pogoń Szczecin.[31][32] The move marked his longest tenure abroad, as he joined the club on June 20 for an undisclosed fee after terminating his Beroe deal.[18] Over three seasons from 2016 to 2019, Delev made 78 appearances across all competitions for Pogoń, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists, with his contributions helping the team achieve stability in the top flight.[33] His most productive year came in 2017–18, when he netted 5 goals in 28 Ekstraklasa matches, aiding Pogoń's third-place finish in the championship playoff round and securing qualification for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.[34] Delev also appeared in 2 Europa League qualifiers that season, including against F91 Dudelange. Delev adapted effectively to the Ekstraklasa's physical demands and colder northern Polish climate, evolving from a primarily right-footed winger into a more versatile, both-footed attacker capable of cutting in from either flank.[35][36] In a 2019 interview, he reflected on feeling "better than ever" at Pogoń, crediting the club's professional environment and supportive atmosphere for his growth, likening it to home despite the league's higher intensity compared to Bulgaria.[36] However, a four-month suspension in late 2018 due to a FIFA ruling on his prior transfer from Beroe disrupted his form.[37] Delev's stint ended in summer 2019 upon the expiration of his contract, amid Pogoń's mid-table seventh-place finish in the 2018–19 Ekstraklasa after a season hampered by inconsistent results. The departure was mutual, as Delev sought opportunities at a club with stronger European ambitions, leading to his return to Bulgaria.[36]Arda Kardzhali
Delev joined Arda Kardzhali in the summer of 2019, signing a two-year contract as an experienced squad member following his stint in Poland.[38] His time abroad added maturity to the team, helping to stabilize the squad during their push for top-flight consolidation. Over the 2019–21 period, he became a key figure, making 37 league appearances and scoring 7 goals across two seasons.[39][40] In the 2020–21 season, Delev captained Arda in several matches, guiding the team to a historic fifth-place finish in the Parva Liga championship group—their best-ever league result at the time.[41] His contributions extended to the Bulgarian Cup, where he scored twice during the run to the final, including goals in the quarter-final against CSKA 1948 and the semi-final against Slavia Sofia.[42] Arda reached the final for the first time in club history but fell 0–1 to CSKA Sofia.[43] Delev left Arda in January 2022 for Ludogorets Razgrad, a larger club, after helping transform the team into a competitive force in Bulgarian football.[44]Ludogorets Razgrad
In December 2021, Spas Delev transferred to Ludogorets Razgrad from Arda Kardzhali, signing a contract with the club as an experienced squad depth player to bolster the attacking options.[45] His prior cup success at Arda facilitated a smooth integration into the team environment.[1] Over his three-year stint from 2021 to 2024, Delev featured prominently in Ludogorets' dominant campaigns, accumulating 124 appearances across all competitions while scoring 18 goals and recording 13 assists.[46] He contributed to the club's continued supremacy in domestic football, helping secure the Bulgarian First League titles in the 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24 seasons, extending Ludogorets' record streak of consecutive championships.[47] Delev also played a role in European competitions, participating in UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, including the 2022 play-off ties against Dinamo Zagreb where he came on as a substitute in both legs.[48] As younger players emerged in the squad, his involvement diminished toward the end of his tenure. In December 2024, at the age of 35, Delev departed Ludogorets upon the expiration of his contract, concluding a period marked by the club's sustained success and his reliable contributions.[46]Lokomotiv Sofia
In January 2025, Spas Delev joined Lokomotiv Sofia from Ludogorets Razgrad on a contract initially set to run until June 2026, attracted by the opportunity to leverage his championship-winning experience from the reigning Bulgarian champions.[1] At age 35, he quickly established himself as a key attacking option for the club in the Parva Liga.[1] Delev has made 15 appearances and scored 3 goals in the 2025–26 First League season as of November 15, 2025, providing 4 assists and accumulating 1,242 minutes on the pitch.[49][22] His contributions include goals against Arda Kardzhali on July 27, Montana on August 3, and Dobrudzha Dobrich on September 20, helping to propel Lokomotiv Sofia to an 8th-place position in the upper mid-table standings.[49][50][51][52][53] As a veteran right winger at 36, Delev has embraced a mentorship role within the squad, drawing on his extensive career to guide younger players while delivering precise set-pieces and leadership in high-pressure situations.[54] His experience has been instrumental in stabilizing the team's attack, with consistent starts underscoring his reliability.[49] Amid his solid form, Delev's contract was extended in August 2025 to June 2027, reflecting the club's confidence in his ongoing impact during this late-career phase.[1]International career
Youth international career
Delev earned his first call-up to Bulgaria's youth international teams during his breakout season with Pirin Blagoevgrad in 2008–09, where his performances as a winger led to him being voted the Best Young Player in Bulgaria. He progressed to the Bulgaria U21 squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers between 2008 and 2011, accumulating 2 appearances and 0 goals overall.[55] Delev made his U21 debut on 10 June 2009, substituting in at halftime during a 3–4 home loss to Israel in Group 6, where he played 45 minutes without scoring.[56] He featured once more on 10 October 2009, starting and completing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 away draw against Montenegro, recording 1 assist but earning a yellow card in the 83rd minute.[56] These outings in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers provided Delev with key exposure at the youth level, honing his contributions from the flanks amid Bulgaria's unsuccessful qualification campaign.[55] Delev received no further youth international caps, transitioning directly to the senior Bulgaria national team in March 2011.[57]Senior international career
Spas Delev made his senior international debut for the Bulgaria national team on 26 March 2011, entering as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Switzerland during a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match held at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. Under head coach Ivaylo Petev at the time, Delev's introduction marked the beginning of his role as a versatile winger, providing pace and creativity on the flanks in competitive fixtures. Delev went on to earn 47 caps for Bulgaria between 2011 and 2023, predominantly featuring as a right or left winger in FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship qualifiers.[58] He enjoyed regular selection across multiple coaching regimes, including Petev's tenure and subsequent managers such as Petar Hubchev and Krasimir Balakov, where his consistent performances helped secure notable results like the goalless draw in his debut against a strong Swiss side. During challenging campaigns, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Delev's experience contributed to team stability, appearing in several matches as Bulgaria navigated a tough group featuring teams like Sweden and France. Delev's international career culminated in the Euro 2024 qualifying phase, with his final playing appearance coming on 16 November 2023 in a 2–2 home draw against Hungary, where he scored Bulgaria's opening goal to level the score at 1–1.[59] He was named to the bench for the subsequent friendly against Serbia on 19 November 2023 but did not feature.Personal life and playing style
Personal life
Spas Delev was born and raised in the rural village of Klyuch in Petrich Municipality, Bulgaria, in a working-class family. His father worked as a driver, while his mother was a seamstress, and neither had a background in sports, yet they strongly supported his early passion for football from a young age.[60] Delev maintains a low public profile regarding his family life, with limited details available beyond recent milestones. He married his longtime partner, Paolina Pavlova, in June 2024 after several years together and an engagement; the couple announced in October 2025 that they are expecting their first child. This family support has contributed to his career longevity, allowing him to focus on professional commitments while keeping personal matters private, as evidenced by his private Instagram account.[61][62][63] Off the pitch, Delev engages with his hometown traditions, annually participating as a kukeri (mummer) during Surva celebrations in Klyuch, reflecting his ties to local culture. He has faced no major personal controversies throughout his public life.[64][65]Playing style
Spas Delev primarily operates as a right winger, leveraging his ambidextrous ability to use both feet effectively in delivering crosses and shots from wide areas.[1][35] His playing style is characterized by explosive pace and quick acceleration, enabling him to exploit spaces on the flank and contribute to rapid transitions. Delev's low center of gravity aids his balance during runs, while his vision and passing allow him to set up teammates with precise assists, often timing his movements to arrive in dangerous positions.[66][6] Delev's career evolution traces from a raw youth talent, identified as one of Eastern Europe's most promising prospects in his early 20s, to a versatile forward capable of adapting across attacking roles. During his time at Pogoń Szczecin in Poland from 2016 to 2019, he peaked in a direct, counter-attacking system, thriving on his speed to lead breakaways and registering 12 goals and 14 assists in 78 appearances. This period highlighted his growth into a more complete attacker, blending dribbling prowess with improved decision-making in high-pressure scenarios.[33] In his late career at age 35 and beyond, Delev has shifted toward a deeper playmaking role, emphasizing tactical awareness and experience over pure athleticism, often dropping into attacking midfield positions to orchestrate play. His strengths in acceleration and assist provision remain key, though he occasionally struggles with choices under intense pressure, particularly in aerial duels due to his 169 cm stature. Influenced by Bulgarian icons like Hristo Stoichkov, Delev has adapted seamlessly to formations ranging from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 across clubs like Ludogorets Razgrad and Lokomotiv Sofia.[19][6]Career statistics
Club statistics
Spas Delev's club career, spanning over 15 years across Bulgarian, Turkish, Spanish, and Polish leagues, has seen him accumulate 428 appearances and 89 goals in league competitions as of November 2025.[33] These figures exclude cup and European matches, where he has added further contributions, though comprehensive assists data is inconsistently recorded across sources for earlier seasons.[2] Minor discrepancies exist in older records, particularly for youth and reserve appearances prior to 2010, but major databases align on post-debut totals.[33] Delev's club statistics highlight his versatility as a winger, with notable productivity at CSKA Sofia (79 league appearances, 23 goals) and Ludogorets Razgrad (80 league appearances, 13 goals), including European fixtures.[33] Other clubs like Arda Kardzhali and Lokomotiv Sofia feature prominently in his later career, where he has balanced scoring with creative play. For the 2025–26 season with Lokomotiv Sofia, Delev has recorded 15 appearances and 3 goals in the efbet Liga as of November 2025.[67] The following table summarizes Delev's club performances by major club, aggregating league, cup, and European competitions where data is available; assists are included only for seasons post-2015 due to limited tracking earlier.[33][2]| Club | Years | League Apps/Goals | Cup Apps/Goals | Europe Apps/Goals | Total Apps/Goals (Assists) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirin Blagoevgrad | 2008–2009 | 16/8 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 16/8 (N/A) |
| CSKA Sofia | 2009–2011, 2013 | 79/23 | 12/4 | 8/2 | 99/29 (N/A) |
| Mersin İdmanyurdu | 2012 | 25/5 | 3/1 | 0/0 | 28/6 (N/A) |
| UD Las Palmas | 2013–2014 | 18/2 | 2/0 | 0/0 | 20/2 (N/A) |
| Lokomotiv Plovdiv | 2014–2015 | 32/6 | 4/1 | 2/0 | 38/7 (N/A) |
| Beroe Stara Zagora | 2015–2016 | 29/4 | 3/0 | 4/1 | 36/5 (2) |
| Pogoń Szczecin | 2016–2019 | 56/9 | 5/1 | 0/0 | 61/10 (8) |
| Arda Kardzhali | 2019–2021 | 62/12 | 6/2 | 0/0 | 68/14 (5) |
| Ludogorets Razgrad | 2021–2024 | 80/13 | 10/3 | 18/4 | 108/20 (12) |
| Lokomotiv Sofia | 2025– | 15/3 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 15/3 (4) |
| Career Total | 2008–2025 | 428/89 | 51/19 | 56/8 | 535/116 (31) |
International statistics
Spas Delev represented the Bulgaria senior national team from 2011 to 2023, accumulating 47 caps and scoring 5 goals during his international career.[57] His contributions were primarily in qualification campaigns and friendlies, with a breakdown by competition as shown below.[3]| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Euro qualifiers | 25 | 2 |
| World Cup qualifiers | 15 | 2 |
| Friendlies | 7 | 1 |
| Total | 47 | 5 |
International goals
Spas Delev has scored five goals in his senior international career for Bulgaria, with notable strikes against stronger opponents highlighting his impact in key matches.[19] His first two international goals came in a historic 2–0 victory over the Netherlands during a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 25 March 2017 at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. Delev opened the scoring in the 5th minute by capitalizing on a defensive error from Matthijs de Ligt, and added a second in the 20th minute to secure the upset win, marking Bulgaria's first victory against the Dutch since 1998.[68][69] Delev's third goal arrived in a 4–1 friendly win against Georgia on 8 September 2021 in Sofia, where he netted in the 44th minute to extend Bulgaria's lead to 3–0 before halftime, contributing to a dominant performance.[70][71] The fourth came during a 2–0 away friendly triumph over Cyprus on 16 November 2022, with Delev scoring in the 71st minute, assisted by Kiril Despodov, to double Bulgaria's advantage and seal the victory.[72][73] His fifth and most recent goal was an equalizer in a 2–2 draw versus Hungary in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier on 16 November 2023 at Vasil Levski National Stadium, struck in the 24th minute after Hungary had taken an early lead, helping Bulgaria earn a point in a tense Group G encounter marred by fan incidents.[74][75] These goals, particularly the brace against a top-tier side like the Netherlands, underscore Delev's rarity as a scorer for Bulgaria against elite competition, enhancing his legacy across 47 caps.[19][76]Honours
Club honours
Delev has achieved several team honours during his club career, primarily in the Bulgarian First League and Bulgarian Cup, with contributions including key appearances and goals in decisive matches. Ludogorets Razgrad- Parva Liga: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 (3 titles). Delev joined the club in December 2021 and contributed to all three championship wins, making over 90 appearances across competitions and recording 13 goals and 10 assists during his tenure, including substitute roles in title-clinching fixtures.[77][78][79][80]
- Bulgarian Cup: 2022–23. Ludogorets defeated CSKA 1948 3–1 in the final; Delev featured in the competition.
- Bulgarian Supercup: 2022, 2023. Ludogorets won on penalties against Levski Sofia (2022) and CSKA 1948 (2023).
- Bulgarian Cup: 2010–11. Delev played a pivotal role in the 1–0 victory over Slavia Sofia in the final, scoring the winning goal in the 40th minute from a Marquinhos cross.[13]
- Bulgarian Supercup: 2011. Delev scored twice in the 3–1 win over Litex Lovech.[81]
- Bulgarian Cup runner-up: 2020–21. Delev featured in the final, where Arda lost 0–1 to CSKA Sofia at Vasil Levski National Stadium.[82][22]
- Bulgarian Cup runner-up: 2008–09. As a 19-year-old, Delev helped the team reach the final, scoring in the semi-final against CSKA Sofia, though Pirin lost 0–3 to Litex Lovech.[83]