Georgi Ivanov (footballer)

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Georgi Ivanov, nicknamed "Gonzo" (Bulgarian: Георги Иванов - Гонзо), born July 2, 1976), is a Bulgarian football striker who currently plays for NK Rijeka in Croatia.

[edit] Career

He started his career in his home town Plovdiv playing for local club Lokomotiv Plovdiv. His talent soon became apparent, and he received several call ups for the Bulgarian national football team. "Gonzo" as he was known among the fans signed for Levski Sofia in 1999, and immediately became a favorite of the crowds with his incredible skills and passion for the game. Furthermore, he was greatly appreciated by the club's supporters for his extraordinary efficiency in the games against rivals CSKA Sofia. With 14 goals in the derby games, Georgi Ivanov is all-time highest scorer in these games. He won the Bulgarian title in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and was voted Bulgaria's Player of the year in both 2000 and 2001. Considered by many at the time to be the best player in the Bulgarian league, Gonzo then joined French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais FC for a club record transfer fee of 4.2 million euro in 2002 after being linked to several top clubs. Incidentally, the season after his departure, CSKA Sofia dethroned Levski to claim their first league title since 1997. However, injuries hampered Gonzo's performances in France, and after only a year abroad he rejoined Levski. He later also played for several Turkish teams, before once again rejoining Levski Sofia on a free transfer from Gaziantepspor in 2006 and winning them the title for the fourth time in his career by scoring an important penalty in a derby against CSKA Sofia. In January 2007, Georgi Ivanov transferred to Croatian club NK Rijeka.

[edit] A True Legend

For the time he spent with Levski Georgi Ivanov-Gonzo has become a true legend of the team - an icon of one of his most successful periods. He will always be remembered from the fans with his 149 matches and 85 goals as one fo the biggest strikers of Levski's all-time history. With his 15 goals against the ethernal rivals - CSKA - he became one of the highest scoring footballers in the history of this derby match. He will be part of this team forever wherever he goes. He has been instrumental in bringing 5 titles(2000,2001,2002,2006,2007) and 4 national cups (1998,2000,2002,2007) to the blues.

[edit] External links

• Official player website from LEVSKI2000
• [1]

[edit] References

v • d • e Bulgaria squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Zdravkov • 2 Kishishev • 3 T. Ivanov • 4 I. Petkov • 5 Yordanov • 6 Yankov • 7 Kostadinov • 8 Stoichkov • 9 Penev • 10 Balakov • 11 Iliev • 12 Mikhailov • 13 Ginchev • 14 Hristov • 15 Zafirov • 16 Nankov • 17 Stoilov • 18 Borimirov • 19 Bachev • 20 G. Ivanov • 21 Kirilov • 22 M. Petkov • Coach: Bonev

Template:NK Rijeka Squad

Awards
Preceded by Aleksandar Aleksandrov	Bulgarian Footballer of the Year 2000 – 2001	Succeeded by Dimitar Berbatov