Kristian Dimitrov
{{short description|Bulgarian professional footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Traychev|Dimitrov|lang=Bulgarian}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kristian Dimitrov
| image =
| fullname = Kristian Traychev Dimitrov
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1997|2|27}}
| birth_place = Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| height = {{height|m=1.89|precision=0}}{{Soccerway|kristian-dimitrov/430411}}
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Levski Sofia
| clubnumber = 50
| youthyears1 = 2005–2013
| youthclubs1 = Lokomotiv Plovdiv
| youthyears2 = 2013–2016
| youthclubs2 = Botev Plovdiv
| years1 = 2016–2020 | clubs1 = Botev Plovdiv | caps1 = 64 | goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2018 | clubs2 = → Montana (loan) | caps2 = 13 | goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2020–2022 | clubs3 = Hajduk Split | caps3 = 40 | goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2022 | clubs4 = → CFR Cluj (loan) | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2023– | clubs5 = Levski Sofia | caps5 = 55 | goals5 = 7
| nationalyears1 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam1 = Bulgaria U19
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2019–
| nationalteam2 = Bulgaria
| nationalcaps2 = 17
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| pcupdate = 14:13, 2 March 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 14 October 2023
}}
Kristian Traychev Dimitrov ({{langx|bg|Кристиан Трайчев Димитров}}; born 27 February 1997) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Levski Sofia and the Bulgarian national team.
Club career
= Botev Plovdiv =
In the summer of 2013, Dimitrov joined Botev Plovdiv at under-17 level from Lokomotiv Plovdiv and progressed through the club's academy system.{{cite web|publisher=viasport.bg|title=Школата на Ботев с най-много трансферни удари|url=http://viasport.bg/8785-%D0%A8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%91%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%B2-%D1%81-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BC%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%84%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8.html#|date=20 August 2013|language=Bulgarian}}
Dimitrov made his first-team debut on 13 March 2016, when he came off the bench to replace Serkan Yusein in the 81st minute of a 3–1 league win over Cherno More Varna.{{cite web|publisher=soccerway.com|title=Botev Plovdiv 3–1 Cherno More|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/03/13/bulgaria/a-pfg/fk-botev-plovdiv/pfc-cherno-more-varna/2067004/|date=13 March 2016}} His first senior goal came in the last round of the 2015–16 season; he scored the second goal in a 2–1 win over Ludogorets Razgrad on 27 May.{{cite web|publisher=soccerway.com|title=Botev Plovdiv 2–1 Ludogorets Razgrad|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/05/27/bulgaria/a-pfg/fk-botev-plovdiv/fk-razgrad-2000/2067060/|date=27 May 2016}}
Dimitrov began to establish himself in the Botev first team from the 2016–17 season, making eight league starts. On 8 June 2017, he signed a new two-year contract with the club.{{cite web | title = Кристиан Димитров подписа нов договор с Ботев | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/Kristian-Dimitrov-podpisa-nov-dogovor-s-Botev-3916.html | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 8 June 2017 | language = Bulgarian}}
On 5 February 2018, Dimitrov joined Second League club Montana on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web | title = Ботев преотстъпи двама във Втора лига | url = https://botevplovdiv.bg/article/botev-preot-stupi-dvama-vuv-vtora-liga | publisher = botevplovdiv.bg | date = 5 February 2018 | language = Bulgarian}} He made 13 appearances in total. His only goal came on 5 May 2018 when he opened the scoring in a 2–0 away win over Botev Galabovo.{{cite web | title = Botev Galabovo vs. Montana | url = https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/05/05/bulgaria/b-pfg/fk-botev-galabovo/pfc-montana-1921/2473581/ | publisher = soccerway.com | date = 5 May 2018 | language = Bulgarian}}
In June 2018, Dimitrov returned to Botev and continued his progress during 2018–19, becoming a regular in the defence. On 24 April 2019, he scored a last-minute goal against CSKA Sofia, bringing the score to 3:3 and enabling his team (which had been reduced to nine men) to progress to the final of the Bulgarian Cup 6:5 on aggregate.{{cite web|publisher=topsport.bg|author=Vutov, Viktor|language=Bulgarian|title=Пловдивско дерби във финала за Купата на България! Героичен Ботев постави ЦСКА на колене с девет души в истински трилър |url=https://topsport.bg/cup/plovdivsko-derbi-vav-finala-za-kupata-na-balgariya-geroichen-botev-postavi-tsska-na-kolene-s-devet-dushi-v-istinski-trilar.html|date=24 April 2019|accessdate=9 June 2019}}
= Hajduk Split and the loan to CFR Cluj =
On 11 February 2020, it was announced that Dimitrov had signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Hajduk Split.{{cite web |url=https://botevplovdiv.bg/article/botev-transferira-kristian-dimitrov-v-khai-duk |title=Ботев трансферира Кристиан Димитров в Хайдук |trans-title=Botev transferred Kristian Dimitrov to Hajduk |website=www.botevplovdiv.bg |publisher=Botev Plovdiv |date=11 February 2020 |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=11 February 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://hajduk.hr/vijest/kristian-dimitrov-novi-je-igrac-hajduka/12529 |title=Kristian Dimitrov novi je igrač Hajduka |trans-title= |website=www.hajduk.hr |publisher=HNK Hajduk Split |date=11 February 2020 |language=Croatian |accessdate=11 February 2020}}
Not finding much playing time in the 2021/22 season, he was loaned out to CFR Cluj in February 2022.{{cite web |url=https://hajduk.hr/vijest/kristian-dimitrov-odlazi-na-posudbu-u-cfr-cluj-/14527 |title=Kristian Dimitrov odlazi na posudbu u CFR Cluj |trans-title= |website=www.hajduk.hr |publisher=HNK Hajduk Split |date=7 February 2022 |language=Croatian |accessdate=17 December 2022}} He became a Liga I champion with the Romanian club, featuring in a single game, 3-1 loss against FCSB, scoring in the 45th minute.[https://www.24sata.hr/sport/na-zimu-je-otisao-iz-hajduka-zaigrao-jednom-i-osvojio-naslov-837657 Na zimu je otišao iz Hajduka, zaigrao jednom i osvojio naslov] at 24 Sata
Returning to Hajduk, he spent the first part of the 2022/23 season largely on the bench, starting a single cup match, a 5-1 away win against Tehničar Cvetkovec, where he received a red card for a counter-attack stopping foul in the 33rd minute,[https://slobodnadalmacija.hr/sport/hajduk/tehnicar-hajduk-bijeli-u-cvetkovcu-krecu-u-obranu-titule-pobjednika-kupa-bez-glavnih-uzdanica-pogledajte-karoglanov-sastav-1231817 Hajduk bez problema pobijedio u Cvetkovcu i plasirao se u osminu finala Kupa: Mlakar, Vuković i Šarić zabijali, Dimitrov ‘pocrvenio‘] at Slobodna Dalmacija and his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 17 December 2022.{{cite web |url=https://hajduk.hr/vijest/kristian-dimitrov-vise-nije-igrac-hajduka/15461 |title=Kristian Dimitrov više nije igrač Hajduka |trans-title= |website=www.hajduk.hr |publisher=HNK Hajduk Split |date=17 December 2022 |language=Croatian |accessdate=17 December 2022}} Dimitrov had scored 3 goals in 40 league matches at the Croatian club.
= Levski Sofia =
On 30 December 2022, Dimitrov returned to Bulgaria, signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with Levski Sofia.{{cite web |title=ПФК Левски подписа с Кристиан Димитров |url=https://levski.bg/%d0%bf%d1%84%d0%ba-%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%b2%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%bf%d0%b8%d1%81%d0%b0-%d1%81-%d0%ba%d1%80%d0%b8%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%b0%d0%bd-%d0%b4%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8/ |website=levski.bg |access-date=30 December 2022|language=bg}}
International career
In May 2019, following his good performances for Botev, Dimitrov was called up to the national team by new manager Krasimir Balakov. On 7 June 2019, he made his debut, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1–2 away loss against the Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualifier.{{cite web|publisher=flashscore.com|author=|language=English|title=Czech Republic vs. Bulgaria 2-1|url=https://www.flashscore.com/match/Srp188Jk/#lineups;1|date=7 June 2019|accessdate=13 June 2019}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|9 February 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | ||||||||||||
| Colspan="3"|Club performance | Colspan="2"|League | Colspan="2"|Cup | Colspan="2"|Continental | Colspan="2"|Other | Colspan="3"|Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | League | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="6" valign="center"|Botev Plovdiv
| rowspan="5"|First League |3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0UEFA Europa League matches. | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 3 | 1 | ||||
| 2016–17
|12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 13 | 0 | |||||
| 2017–18
|0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19
|31 | 4 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 36 | 5 | |||||
| 2019–20
|18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 18 | 0 | |||||
| colspan=2 | Total
! 64 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 6 | |||
| Montana (loan)
|13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 13 | 1 | |||||
| rowspan="5" valign="center"|Hajduk Split
| rowspan="4"|1. HNL |14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 14 | 1 | |||||
| 2020–21
|20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 21 | 2 | ||||
| 2021–22
|6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23
|0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan=2 | Total
! 40 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 3 | |||
| CFR Cluj (loan)
|1 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| rowspan=4|Levski Sofia
|rowspan=3|First League |8 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |||||
| 2023–24
|25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 30 | 2 | ||||
| 2024–25
|19 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 21 | 5 | ||||
| colspan=2 | Total
! 52 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 7 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career statistics | 166 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 188 | 18 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International stats=
{{updated|match played 14 October 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Bulgaria
|2019 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total||17||1 |
=International goals=
:Scores and results list Bulgaria's goal tally first.{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/23267/Kristian.Dimitrov.html|title=Dimitrov, Kristian|publisher=National Football Teams|accessdate=10 June 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! No !! Date !! Venue !! Cap !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |
| 1
| 10 June 2019 || Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria || align=center|6 || {{fb|KOS}} || align=center|2–1 || align=center|2–3 || UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
|---|
Style of play
Krasimir Balakov compared Dimitrov with the legendary Bulgarian defender Trifon Ivanov, while being manager of Bulgaria.[https://gong.bg/bg-football/efbet-liga/kristian-dimitrov-razkri-kakvo-mu-e-kazal-balykov-577491 Кристиан Димитров разкри какво му е казал Балъков]
Honours
=Club=
=Individual=
- Bulgarian First League Defender of the Season: 2018–19{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/exclusiv-u-craiova-aproape-de-a-transfera-un-international-bulgar-in-sezonul-trecut-a-fost-declarat-cel-mai-bun-fundas-central-din-prima-liga-a-bulgariei-18236188|title = EXCLUSIV | U Craiova, aproape de a transfera un internațional bulgar! În sezonul trecut a fost declarat cel mai bun fundaș central din prima ligă a Bulgariei|date = 15 July 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{PFC Levski Sofia squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dimitrov, Kristian}}
Category:Footballers from Plovdiv
Category:Bulgarian men's footballers
Category:Bulgaria men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Bulgaria men's youth international footballers
Category:Bulgaria men's international footballers
Category:Bulgarian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Botev Plovdiv players
Category:HNK Hajduk Split players
Category:PFC Levski Sofia players
Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
Category:Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia