Antonio Vutov
{{Short description|Bulgarian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Antonio Vutov
| image = Antonio Vutov.jpg
| caption = Vutov playing for Levski Sofia in 2012
| full_name = Antonio Ventsislavov Vutov
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|6|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Mezdra, Bulgaria
| position = Winger, attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Arda Kardzhali
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = 2007–2009
| youthclubs1 = Lokomotiv Mezdra
| youthyears2 = 2009–2012
| youthclubs2 = Levski Sofia
| years1 = 2012–2014
| clubs1 = Levski Sofia
| caps1 = 28
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2014–2018
| clubs2 = Udinese
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2015–2016
| clubs3 = → Cosenza (loan)
| caps3 = 22
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2016–2017
| clubs4 = → Lecce (loan)
| caps4 = 9
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2017
| clubs5 = → Botev Plovdiv (loan)
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2017–2018
| clubs6 = → Levski Sofia (loan)
| caps6 = 26
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2018–2020
| clubs7 = Botev Plovdiv
| caps7 = 49
| goals7 = 13
| years8 = 2020–2022
| clubs8 = Mezőkövesd
| caps8 = 41
| goals8 = 5
| years9 = 2022–2023
| clubs9 = Lokomotiv Sofia
| caps9 = 28
| goals9 = 5
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = CSKA 1948
| caps10 = 23
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2024–2025
| clubs11 = Spartak Varna
| caps11 = 31
| goals11 = 7
| years12 = 2025–
| clubs12 = Arda Kardzhali
| caps12 = 0
| goals12 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2012–2013
| nationalteam1 = Bulgaria U17
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2013–2015
| nationalteam2 = Bulgaria U19
| nationalcaps2 = 15
| nationalgoals2 = 5
| nationalyears3 = 2015–2018
| nationalteam3 = Bulgaria U21
| nationalcaps3 = 22
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2021–
| nationalteam4 = Bulgaria
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 13 June 2025
| nationalteam-update = 5 August 2021
}}
Antonio Vutov ({{langx|bg|Антонио Вутов}}; born 6 June 1996) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays for Arda Kardzhali as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Vutov began his career with Levski Sofia. He joined Serie A club Udinese in January 2014, and had loan spells at Cosenza, Lecce, Botev Plovdiv and Levski before moving permanently to Botev in 2018.
He has also represented Bulgaria internationally at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.
Club career
Born in Mezdra, Vutov began his career at his hometown club, Lokomotiv Mezdra.{{Cite web|url=http://www.temasport.com/Analysis/view/%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BE+%D0%92%D1%83%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2+%E2%80%93+%D0%A7%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE+%D0%BE%D1%82+%E2%80%9E%D0%93%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0%E2%80%9C/analysis:1798|publisher=temasport.com|title=Антонио Вутов – Чудото от "Герена"|date=25 February 2012|language=Bulgarian}} When he was 12 years old he was the captain of the U-15 team of Lokomotiv Mezdra.
=Levski Sofia=
In 2009, Vutov joined Levski Sofia Academy. Vutov made his senior debut for Levski on 8 April 2012, in a 1–1 league draw against Lokomotiv Sofia at the age of 15 years and 307 days, making him the youngest player ever to have played for the club.{{Cite web|url=http://www.viasport.bg/new/4532/%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BE-%D0%92%D1%83%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D1%81-%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B4.html|publisher=viasport.bg|title=Антонио Вутов с уникален рекорд!|date=8 April 2012|language=Bulgarian}} His first start came in a home league game against Beroe Stara Zagora on 11 May.
Vutov's first goal came in a 7–1 win against Etar 1924 at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, on 28 November 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://viasport.bg/new/6420/%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BE-%D0%92%D1%83%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D1%81-%D0%BF%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%B8-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%9B%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8.html|publisher=viasport.bg|title=Антонио Вутов с първи гол за Левски|date=28 November 2012|language=Bulgarian}}
For 2013–14 season, Vutov was handed number 10, last worn by Hristo Yovov. He started to play more often as a first-team regular and for six months he made 24 appearances and scored 3 goals in all competitions. Vutov helped Levski to reach the quarterfinals of the Bulgarian Cup after a 7–6 penalty win against CSKA Sofia, he scored one of the penalties for his team.
=Udinese=
During the winter break club's boss Todor Batkov announced that Levski were going to sell Vutov to Italian side Udinese. Vutov signed a four-and-a-half-year contract on 9 January{{Cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-bulgaria-vutov-idUKBREA081D120140109|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810012238/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-bulgaria-vutov-idUKBREA081D120140109|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 August 2018|publisher=reuters.com|title=Levski Sofia teenager Vutov joins Udinese|date=9 January 2014}} and the transfer was officially announced on 11 January 2014 on Udinese's official website. The transfer fee wasn't officially announced but it is believed that Levski got at least €950,000 from the deal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.trud.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=2869868|publisher=trud.bg|title=Футболен Пепеляшко от Мездра|date=6 January 2014|language=Bulgarian|access-date=19 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109191539/http://www.trud.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=2869868|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}} Vutov made his Udinese first-team debut on 18 February, in a 3–0 friendly loss against Hajduk Split at Stadion Poljud, playing 78 minutes.
==Cosenza (loan)==
For the 2015–16 season, Vutov was loaned out to Cosenza. He made 22 appearances for the club and scored a goal from the penalty spot.
==Lecce (loan)==
On 12 July 2016, Vutov was loaned out by Udinese to Lecce. On 30 July he debuted with the giallorossi and scored his first official goal for the club in a 2–1 win against Alto Vicentino in a Coppa Italia match.
==Botev Plovdiv (loan)==
File:Botev-plovdiv-bulgarian-cup-2017.jpg
In January 2017, Vutov was loaned out to Botev Plovdiv for the rest of the season.{{cite web | title = Антонио Вутов и Фернандо Виана се присъединиха към Ботев | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Antonio-Vutov-i-Fernando-Viana-se-prisuediniha-kum-Botev-3788.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 28 January 2017 | language = Bulgarian | access-date = 28 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202052658/https://botevplovdiv.bg/Antonio-Vutov-i-Fernando-Viana-se-prisuediniha-kum-Botev-3788.html | archive-date = 2 February 2017 | url-status = dead }} He made an official debut on 18 February during the 1–0 away win over Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-nadvi-Lokomotiv-v-Gorna-Oriahovica-3817.html Ботев надви Локомотив в Горна Оряховица]
On 7 April, Vutov scored twice during a 7–1 win over PFC Montana.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-razpilia-Montana-sus-7-gola-Kris-Dobrev-vleze-v-istoriiata-na-15-godini-3864.html Ботев разпиля Монтана със 7 гола, Крис Добрев влезе в историята на 15 години] These were his first goals in any official games as a player of Botev Plovdiv. Couple of weeks later, on 22 April, Vutov scored a spectacular goal for the 3–0 away win over Slavia Sofia.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-s-kliuchova-pobeda-nad-Slaviia-kato-gost-3878.html Ботев с ключова победа над Славия като гост]
On 26 April Vutov scored a header after a magnificent assist provided by Todor Nedelev in the 1–1 draw with FC Vereya Stara Zagora during the second leg of the semi-finals for the Bulgarian Cup. His goal secured the win for Botev Plovdiv with 2–1 on aggregate and his team proceeded to the final game.{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/BOTEV-NA-FINAL%21-3881.html |title=БОТЕВ НА ФИНАЛ! |access-date=21 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521104620/https://botevplovdiv.bg/BOTEV-NA-FINAL%21-3881.html |archive-date=21 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}
On 19 May Vutov scored an important goal in the playoffs against Beroe Stara Zagora and Botev Plovdiv won on aggregate 4–2.[https://botevplovdiv.bg/Botev-otstrani-Beroe-i-chaka-supernika-za-sledvashtiia-pleiof-3894.html Ботев отстрани Берое и чака съперника за следващия плейоф]{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On 24 May Vutov scored the second goal for the 2–1 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad helping Botev Plovdiv to win the Bulgarian Cup for the third time in the history of the club.[https://topsport.bg/cup/botev-plovdiv-triumfira-s-kupata-na-balgariya.html Ботев (Пловдив) триумфира с Купата на България!]{{Cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/VIVA-KANARI%21%21%21-BOTEV-Ia-PREGURNA-3899.html |title=ВИВА КАНАРИ!!! БОТЕВ Я ПРЕГЪРНА |access-date=29 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810013252/https://botevplovdiv.bg/VIVA-KANARI%21%21%21-BOTEV-Ia-PREGURNA-3899.html |archive-date=10 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}
During his loan in Botev Plovdiv Vutov played 16 games, provided 2 assists and scored 7 goals (2 goals in the Bulgarian Cup tournament).
==Levski Sofia (loan)==
On 13 June 2017, Vutov returned to Levski Sofia on a season-long loan.{{Cite web|url=https://levski.bg/news/details/176167|publisher=levski.bg|title=Вутов подписа с Левски за една година|date=13 June 2017|language=Bulgarian|access-date=13 June 2017|archive-date=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011329/https://levski.bg/news/details/176167|url-status=dead}}
==Lokomotiv Sofia==
In July 2022, Vutov joined Lokomotiv Sofia as a free agent, signing a two-year contract.{{cite web|title=Официално: Антонио Вутов подписа с Локомотив София|url=https://7sport.net/news/oficzialno-antonio-vutov-podpisa-s-lokomotiv-sofiya/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818075222/https://7sport.net/news/oficzialno-antonio-vutov-podpisa-s-lokomotiv-sofiya/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 August 2022|author=Petkov, Viktor| publisher=7sport.net|date=18 July 2022| accessdate=18 August 2022}}
International career
He made his debut for Bulgaria national team on 31 March 2021 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland.{{cite web|publisher=FIFA|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/match/400155610/#match-lineups|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202103415/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/match/400155610/#match-lineups|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2021|title=Northern Ireland v Bulgaria game report|date=31 March 2021}}
Career statistics
{{updated|15 December 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !rowspan="2"|Division !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Levski Sofia
|rowspan="3"|A Group |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 5 | 0 | |
| 2012–13
|4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 1 | |
| 2013–14
|19 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 24 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 4 |
| rowspan="3"|Udinese
|rowspan="2"|Serie A |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014–15
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cosenza (loan)
|22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 24 | 1 | ||
| Lecce (loan)
|Lega Pro |9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 1 | ||
| Botev Plovdiv (loan)
|13 | 5 | 4 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 17 | 7 | ||
| Levski Sofia (loan)
|Bulgarian First League |26 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 33 | 3 | |
| rowspan="4"|Botev Plovdiv
|rowspan="3"|Bulgarian First League |23 | 6 | 6 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 29 | 7 | ||
| 2019–20
|22 | 7 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 27 | 7 | ||
| 2020–21
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 4 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!49 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 14 |
| rowspan="3"|Mezőkövesdi SE
|rowspan="2"|Nemzeti Bajnokság I |27 | 5 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 30 | 6 | ||
| 2021–22
|14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 15 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 6 |
| Lokomotiv Sofia
|Bulgarian First League |28 | 5 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 33 | 6 | ||
| CSKA 1948
|Bulgarian First League |27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| CSKA 1948 II
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 3 | 0 | ||
| Spartak Varna
|Bulgarian First League |18 | 4 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 20 | 5 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!264 | 28 | 47 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 318 | 47 |
Honours
;Botev Plovdiv
Personal life
Vutov is an avid Real Madrid fan and has cited Zinedine Zidane as his favourite player.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|antonio-vutov/235774}}
- {{UEFA player}}
- [https://en.levskisofia.info/player/antonio-vutov/ Profile at LevskiSofia.info]
{{FC Arda Kardzhali squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vutov, Antonio}}
Category:Bulgarian men's footballers
Category:Bulgaria men's international footballers
Category:Bulgaria men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Bulgaria men's youth international footballers
Category:PFC Levski Sofia players
Category:Udinese Calcio players
Category:Cosenza Calcio players
Category:Botev Plovdiv players
Category:Mezőkövesdi SE footballers
Category:FC Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia players
Category:FC CSKA 1948 Sofia players
Category:FC Spartak Varna players
Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Sportspeople from Vratsa Province
Category:Nemzeti Bajnokság I players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Hungary
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in Hungary