Zhivko Atanasov

Zhivko Atanasov (Bulgarian: Живко Атанасов; born 3 February 1991) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Cherno More Varna and the Bulgaria national team.

Zhivko Atanasov

Personal information
Full name	Zhivko Stanislavov Atanasov
Date of birth	(1991-02-03) 3 February 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth	Gorni Bogrov, Bulgaria
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s)	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Cherno More
Number	3
Youth career
0000–2010	Levski Sofia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2012	Levski Sofia	0	(0)
2010–2011	→ Chavdar BS (loan)	35	(0)
2011	→ Septemvri Simitli (loan)	11	(0)
2012–2015	Cherno More	73	(2)
2015	Slavia Sofia	8	(0)
2016–2017	Juve Stabia	26	(1)
2017–2019	Viterbese	68	(6)
2020	Catanzaro	10	(0)
2020–2021	Levski Sofia	28	(4)
2021–	Cherno More	126	(8)
International career‡
2023–	Bulgaria	13	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:08, 27 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:36, 20 March 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Atanasov began his career with Levski Sofia.

In the winter of 2012, Atanasov impressed Cherno More manager Stefan Genov as a trialist during Cherno More's training camp in Turkey.^[2] On 17 February 2012, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.^[3] Atanasov made his debut on 4 March, starting against Levski Sofia at Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in an A Group fixture, playing the full 90 minutes at centre-back in a 2–1 defeat. He scored his first Cherno More goal on 18 April, opening the scoring in a 7–1 home win over Kaliakra Kavarna.

When Aleksandar Aleksandrov was transferred in January 2014, Atanasov formed a partnership with Kiril Kotev in the centre of defence and has become an established first team player.

On 16 January 2020 he signed a 1.5-year contract with Serie C side Catanzaro.^[4]

On 4 August 2020, Atanasov returned to his boyhood club Levski Sofia on a 2-year deal.^[5] On 14 June 2021, Atanasov terminated his contract with Levski due to financial reasons.

On 16 June 2021, Atanasov returned to former club, Cherno More, on a two-year contract.^[6]

International career

On 16 November 2023, Atanasov earned his first cap for the national team after coming on as a late first half substitute for Ivaylo Chochev in a 2–2 home draw against Hungary in a Euro 2024 qualifier.^[7]

Family

Atanasov's mother, Yordanka Donkova, is a former hurdling athlete notable for winning an Olympic gold medal and bronze medal as well as 9 medals at European indoor and outdoor championships.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 June 2025

Club	League	Season	League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Cherno More	First League	2011–12	15	1	0	0	—		—		15	1
		2012–13	18	0	3	0	—		—		21	0
		2013–14	19	1	3	0	—		—		22	1
		2014–15	21	0	7	1	—		—		28	1
	Total		73	2	13	1	0	0	0	0	86	3
Levski Sofia	First League	2020–21	28	4	2	0	—		—		30	4
Cherno More	First League	2021–22	29	1	2	0	—		—		31	1
		2022–23	31	1	5	0	—		—		36	1
		2023–24	33	4	1	0	—		—		34	4
		2024–25	33	2	4	0	2	0	—		39	2
		2025–26	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		126	8	12	0	2	0	0	0	140	8
Career total			227	14	27	1	2	0	0	0	256	15

International

As of match played 18 November 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Bulgaria	2023	2	0
	2024	10	0
	2025	1	0
Total		13	0

Honours

Club

Cherno More

• Bulgarian Cup: 2014–15