Petko Hristov

Petko Rosenov Hristov (Bulgarian: Петко Росенов Христов; born 1 March 1999) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie A club Spezia and the Bulgaria national team.[2]

This article is about a Bulgarian football player. For Bulgarian Roman Catholic prelate, see Petko Christov.
Petko Hristov
Personal information
Full name Petko Rosenov Hristov
Date of birth (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999
Place of birth Sofia, Bulgaria
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Spezia
Number 15
Youth career
2008–2013 Levski Sofia
2013–2016 Slavia Sofia
2017–2018 Fiorentina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Slavia Sofia 26 (1)
2017–2021 Fiorentina 0 (0)
2018–2019 → Ternana (loan) 13 (1)
2019–2020 → Bisceglie (loan) 25 (0)
2020–2021 → Pro Vercelli (loan) 36 (2)
2021– Spezia 16 (1)
National team‡
2016 Bulgaria U17 8 (0)
2016–2017 Bulgaria U19 18 (0)
2017–2020 Bulgaria U21 19 (0)
2021– Bulgaria 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:10, 30 April 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 29 March 2022

Career

Slavia Sofia

Hristov started his career in Levski Sofia, before relocating to Slavia Sofia in 2013.[3] He made his senior debut for Slavia in a match of the Europa League against Polish club Zagłębie Lubin on 30 June 2016, coming on as a substitute for Georgi Yomov.[4] A month later he made his Bulgarian First League debut in the opening game of the season against CSKA Sofia.[5] He scored his first goal on 10 September in a 5–2 home win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv. On 1 October Petko was joined by his twin brother Andrea Hristov in the central defense for the very first time against Vereya in the starting line-up.[6]

On 3 April 2017, Hristov signed his first professional contract with the club until 31 July 2020.[7]

Fiorentina

On 17 July 2017, Fiorentina confirmed they had signed Hristov on a five-year contract after Firenze Viola, Fiorentina owner, himself liked the player after seeing him in action at the European Under-19 Championship.[8] On 20 August 2017, he was on the bench for the first time in the Serie A match against Inter Milan.[9] He made his unofficial debut for the club against Real Madrid on 24 August coming on as a substitute in added time for the Trofeo Bernabeu game.[10][11]

Ternana (loan)

On 16 August 2018, Hristov joined to Serie C club Ternana on loan until 30 June 2019.[12] He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December 2018 in a league match against Rimini won by Ternana by 3:0.[13]

Bisceglie (loan)

On 9 August 2019, Hristov joined Serie C club Bisceglie on loan until 30 June 2020.[14]

Pro Vercelli (loan)

On 18 September 2020, Hristov joined Serie C club Pro Vercelli on loan until 30 June 2021.

Spezia

After his good performance for Pro Vercelli in Serie C, on 5 July 2021 Hristov moved to Serie A team Spezia, signing a contract until 2025.[15] He made his debut for the team on 13 August in a Coppa Italia match against Pordenone and compleated his Serie A debut on 23 August in a match against Cagliari.[16]

International career

Youth levels

Hristov was called up for the Bulgaria U19 team for the 2017 European Under-19 Championship qualification from 22 to 27 March 2017.[17] After a draw and 2 wins the team qualified for the knockout phase which was held in July 2017.[18] Petkov played in the all 3 matches from the group stage when Bulgaria were eliminated.

On 5 September 2017, he made his debut for the Bulgaria U21 in a match against Luxembourg U21.[19]

Senior team

He made his debut for Bulgaria national football team on 31 March 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. His twin brother Andrea made his debut in the same game as well.[20]

Personal life

Petko Hristov has a twin brother, Andrea, who is also a professional footballer.[21]

Career statistics

Club
As of 30 April 2022 (UTC).[2]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Slavia Sofia First League 2016–17 25100104[lower-alpha 1]0301
2017–18 1000–0010
Total 261001040311
Fiorentina Serie A 2017–18 0000––00
Total 0000000000
Ternana (loan) Serie C 2018–19 13110––141
Bisceglie (loan) 2019–20 25000––250
Pro Vercelli (loan) 2020–21 36200––362
Spezia Serie A 2021–22 16120––181
Total 161200000181
Career total 11653010401245
  1. Relegation Play-offs

Style of play

Hristov was described from the Italian media as a physically strong defender with great air abilities and being able to read the game which has led him to be compared to legendary Brazilian defender Thiago Silva.[22]

Awards

Individual

References
  1. Todorov, Nayden (6 May 2015). "Кои са те? Отборът на бъдещето!" (in Bulgarian). 24chasa.bg. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  2. Hristov Stats
  3. "Братята Де Бур" от Овча купел
  4. Slavia VS. Lubin 1 - 0
  5. CSKA VS. Slavia 2 - 0
  6. Slavia vs Vereya
  7. Славия подписа с трима от героите на България
  8. "Fiorentina complete Hristov signing". violachannel.tv. 17 July 2017.
  9. Inter beats Fiorentina by 3:0
  10. Cristiano Ronaldo goal, assist as Real Madrid win Trofeo Bernabeu game
  11. Real Madrid 2:1 Fiorentina
  12. "UFFICIALE: Fiorentina, Hristov saluta e va in prestito alla Ternana". Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  13. Fere, 3-0 al Liberati con il Rimini nel recupero della prima giornata
  14. "UFFICIALE: Bisceglie, ecco il bulgaro Hristov in prestito dalla Fiorentina". Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  15. Ufficiale | Petko Hristov è un nuovo calciatore dello Spezia | Spezia Calcio - Sito ufficiale
  16. Петко Христов със силен дебют в Серия А при равенство на Специя
  17. Съставът на България (U19) за Елитния кръг във Франция
  18. Футболът ни възкръсна! 19-годишните лъвове "изядоха" всички, България с нов грандиозен успех
  19. Младежите падат от Люксембург
  20. "Northern Ireland v Bulgaria game report". FIFA. 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021.
  21. "Петко и Андреа Христови: Малки сме, за да се главозамайваме". btvnovinite.bg (in Bulgarian). bTV Media Group. 27 June 2017.
  22. Dalla Bulgaria alla Viola per stregare Pioli: ecco Petko Hristov il nuovo Thiago Silva
  23. Талант №1 Петко Христов: Мечтая да играя в чужбина
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