Emil Gazdov
{{Short description|Canadian soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Emil Gazdov
|fullname =
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|9|11|mf=y}}
|birth_place = North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
|height = 1.91m
|position = Goalkeeper
|currentclub = CF Montréal
|clubnumber = 33
|youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = North Vancouver FC
|youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Mountain United FC
|youthyears3 = 2017–2020 |youthclubs3 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|youthyears4 = 2020–2022 |youthclubs4 = Pacific FC
|youthyears5 = 2020–2022 |youthclubs5 = → 1. FC Nürnberg (loan)
|years1 = 2022–2025
|clubs1 = Pacific FC
|caps1 = 41
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2025–
|clubs2 = CF Montréal
|caps2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|medaltemplates =
|pcupdate = February 28, 2025
|ntupdate =
}}
Emil Gazdov ({{langx|bg|Емил Газдов}}; born September 11, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club CF Montréal.
Early life
Gazdov began playing youth soccer with North Vancouver FC, before later joining Mountain United FC.{{cite web|url=https://gong.bg/football-sviat/legioneri/multimedia/video/kanadski-talant-s-bylgarski-proizhod-iskam-da-igraia-za-bylgariia-napomniam-na-vsichki-za-zlatnata-topka-na-stoichkov-717933|title=Канадски талант с български произход: Искам да играя за България, напомням на всички за Златната топка на Стоичков|trans-title=Canadian talent with Bulgarian origin: I want to play for Bulgaria, I remind everyone about Stoichkov's Ballon d'Or|author=Койчев, Илиян (Koychev, Iliyan)|date=January 29, 2023|language=bg|work=Gong.bg}} In August 2017, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Academy,{{cite web|url=https://mufc.ca/whitecaps-fc-rex-announce-residency-rosters-for-2017|title=Whitecaps FC Residency / REX announce player additions for 2017|date=September 20, 2017|work=Mountain United FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/players/emil-gazdov/|title=Emil Gazdov Vancouver Whitecaps profile|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}} where he played for three years before leaving to sign a professional contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/paving-the-saves-the-binding-tissues-of-dahha-hall-forming-unique-goalkeeper-pat|title=Paving the saves: The binding tissues of Dahha, Hall forming unique goalkeeper pathway for 'Caps|first=Sebastian|last=Pereira|date=March 11, 2022|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}}{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/pacific-fc-signs-17-year-old-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov/|title=Pacific FC Signs 17-Year-Old Goalkeeper Emil Gazdov|date=June 30, 2020|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}} He later spent time with the U19 side of German club 1. FC Nürnberg, after being loaned following signing his first professional contract with Pacific FC.{{cite web|title=Pacific FC extends Gazdov to cement faith in young goalkeeper|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/pacific-fc-extends-gazdov-to-cement-faith-in-young-goalkeeper-6846894|first=Cleve|last=Dheensaw|date=April 12, 2023|work=Times Colonist}}
Club career
=Pacific FC=
In March 2020, he began training with Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/pacific-fcs-emil-gazdov-as-cpls-lone-third-keeper-my-goal-is-to-get-games|date=July 10, 2020|first=Marty|last=Thompson|title=Pacific FC's Emil Gazdov as CPL's lone third 'keeper: 'My goal is to get games'|work=Canadian Premier League}}{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-signs-17-year-old-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov|title=Pacific FC signs 17-year-old goalkeeper Emil Gazdov|date=June 30, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League}} On June 30, 2020, Gazdov signed his first professional contract with Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-signs-new-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov|title=Pacific FC signs new goalkeeper Emil Gazdov|date=June 30, 2020|work=Pacific FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://europeanfootballschool.com/efs-players-shinning-in-europe/|title=EFS players shinning in Europe!|date=February 5, 2021|work=European Football School}} After not appearing in any matchday squads in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season as the third-choice goalkeeper,{{Cite web|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/pacific-fc-goalkeeper-gazdov-loaned-to-german-club-4684611|title=Pacific FC goalkeeper Gazdov loaned to German club|first=Cleve|last=Dheensaw|date=October 7, 2020|work=Times Colonist}} Gazdov was sent on a two-year loan in October to the U19 side of German club 1. FC Nürnberg.{{Cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov-on-loan-to-germany|title=Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov on loan to Germany|date=October 7, 2020|work=Pacific FC}}{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/pacific-fc-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov-goas-on-loan-to-fc-nurnberg|title=Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov goes on loan to FC Nürnberg|date=October 7, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke}} He returned to Pacific FC in 2022 to serve as the backup goalkeeper.{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/pacific-fc-emil-gazdov-2022/|title=Emil Gazdov Returns To Pacific FC|date=February 8, 2022|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}}{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/emil-gazdov-returns-to-pacific-fc-from-loan-in-germany|title=Emil Gazdov returns to Pacific FC from loan in Germany|date=February 8, 2022|work=Canadian Premier League}}{{Cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/gazdov-returning-from-loan-back-to-pfc-for-2022|title=Gazdov Returning From Loan – Back to PFC for 2022!|date=February 8, 2022|first=Jack|last=Longo|work=Pacific FC}} He made his professional debut on July 30, 2022, in a 2–1 victory over Valour FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vicnews.com/news/diaz-double-carries-pacific-fc-to-victory/|title=Diaz double carries Pacific FC to victory|date=July 31, 2022|work=Victoria News|first=Bailey|last=Moreton}} Following the departure of Callum Irving following the 2022 season, Gazdov became the team's first choice goalkeeper ahead of the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/gazdov-looks-to-starters-role-as-goalkeeper-irving-bolts-pacific-fc-for-vancouver-fc-6251733|title=Gazdov looks to starter's role as goalkeeper Irving bolts Pacific FC for Vancouver FC|date=December 14, 2022|work=Times Colonist|first=Cleve|last=Dheensaw}}{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/amazing-amazing-progression-young-pacific-fc-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov-emerging-as-cpl-playoff-hero|title='Amazing, amazing progression': Young Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov emerging as CPL playoff hero|date=October 19, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney}} In April 2023, he signed an additional two-year extension with the club, with a club option for 2026.{{cite web|title=PFC Shows Faith in Youth Development with Gazdov Extension, Signing of Three Young Canadians|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/pfc-shows-faith-in-youth-development-with-signing-of-four-young-canadian-players|date=April 12, 2023|work=Pacific FC|first=Jack|last=Longo}}{{cite web|title=Young Blood: Pacific Extends Gazdov Deal, Brings In More Youth|url=https://northerntribune.ca/pacific-fc-emil-gazdov-contract-extension/|date=April 12, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} After beginning the season as the starting keeper, midway through the season, he became the backup, before soon regaining his spot as the starter.{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/pacific-fc-perfect-place-emil-gazdov-interview/|title=Gazdov: Pacific Is The 'Perfect Place' For The Young Number One Goalkeeper|date=January 13, 2024|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} On May 1, 2024, he was substitute into the 2024 Canadian Championship first round match against TSS FC Rovers just prior to the beginning of the penalty shootout, making two saves to help Pacific advance to the next round.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/kalongo-forge-fc-gazdov-pacific-fc-young-canadian-goalkeepers-2024-cpl|title=Young Canadian goalkeepers Kalongo of Forge FC, Pacific's Gazdov proving to be among the CPL's best to start 2024|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney|date=May 16, 2024|work=Canadian Premier League}} In 2024, he led the league with nine clean sheets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.transfermarkt.com/emil-gazdov-linked-with-mls-clubs-and-bochum-pacific-fc-keeper-was-voted-best-in-cpl/view/news/446203|title=Emil Gazdov linked with MLS clubs and Bochum - Pacific FC keeper was voted best in CPL|date=November 13, 2024|work=Transfermarkt|first=Manuel|last=Veth}} At the end of the 2024 season, Gazdov was nominated for the Canadian Premier League's Best Canadian Under-21 Player and the Goalkeeper of the Year awards.{{cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/emil-gazdov-nominated-for-canadian-premier-leagues-best-canadian-under-21-player-award|title=Emil Gazdov nominated for Canadian Premier League's Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award|date=October 29, 2024|work=Pacific FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/article/gazdov-irving-vincensini-nominated-for-canadian-premier-leagues-2024-golden-glove-award|title=Emil Gazdov nominated for Canadian Premier League's 2024 Golden Glove Award|date=October 28, 2024|work=Pacific FC}} He ultimately won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/pacific-fcs-emil-gazdov-wins-2024-cpl-golden-glove-as-top-goalkeeper|title=Pacific FC's Emil Gazdov wins 2024 CPL Golden Glove as top goalkeeper|date=November 7, 2024|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney}}
=CF Montréal=
In February 2025, Gazdov transferred to CF Montréal in Major League Soccer, signing a two year contract with club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.{{cite web|url=https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/cf-montreal-acquires-goalkeeper-emil-gazdov|title=CF Montréal acquires goalkeeper Emil Gazdov|website=CF Montréal|date=February 28, 2025}}
Personal
Gazdov is of Bulgarian descent.{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/pacific-fc-emil-gazdov-opportunity/|title=Gazdov Eager For Opportunity With Pacific FC|date=July 1, 2020|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}}{{cite web|author=Койчев, Илиян (Koychev, Iliyan)|url=https://gong.bg/football-sviat/legioneri/multimedia/video/mlad-bylgarski-vratar-iskam-da-sym-nomer-1-v-kanada-nauchih-mnogo-prez-izminaliia-sezon-770179|title=Млад български вратар: Искам да съм номер 1 в Канада, научих много през изминалия сезон|trans-title=Young Bulgarian goalkeeper: I want to be number 1 in Canada, I learned a lot this past season|language=bg|date=December 29, 2023|work=Gong.bg}}
Career statistics
{{updated|October 5, 2024}}{{Soccerway|emil-gazdov/512535}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|Pacific FC
|2022 |rowspan=3|Canadian Premier League |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023
|18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 23 | 0 | |
| 2024
|21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 24 | 0 | |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|emil-gazdov/512535}}
{{CF Montréal squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gazdov, Emil}}
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Soccer players from North Vancouver
Category:Canadian people of Bulgarian descent
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Canadian Premier League players
Category:Vancouver Whitecaps FC players