Plamen Nikolov (footballer, born 1957)

Plamen Nikolov - Patso (Bulgarian: Пламен Николов - Пацо, born 24 June 1957 in Pleven) is a former Bulgarian football defender.

Plamen Nikolov

Personal information
Date of birth	(1957-06-24) 24 June 1957 (age 68)
Place of birth	Pleven, Bulgaria
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1974–1977	Spartak Pleven	80	(0)
1977–1985	Levski Sofia	200	(6)
1986–1990	IK Brage	78	(1)
1986–1987	→ Antwerp (loan)	4	(0)
1988	→ Levski Sofia (loan)	17	(0)
1990–1992	Levski Sofia	7	(0)
Total		386	(7)
International career
1978–1988	Bulgaria	55	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

In his career Nikolov played mostly for PFC Levski Sofia. In 1984, he was named Bulgarian Footballer of the Year. He was a successful player in the Swedish top division when playing for IK Brage. Between the seasons in Sweden (where they play spring-fall) he was on loan to Antwerpen and Vitosha Levski.^[1] After his retirement, he worked as assistant manager of Levski Sofia as well as head coach of Spartak Pleven, Olympik Teteven and Botev Vratsa.^[1]

International career

For Bulgaria, Nikolov was capped 55 times, making his debut on 22 February 1978 against Scotland.^[1]

Awards

• Champion of Bulgaria: 1979, 1984, 1985, 1988
• Bulgarian Cup: 1979, 1982, 1984, 1991