Nik Tzanev
{{short description|New Zealand footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nik Tzanev
| image = Nik Tzanev, Potters Bar Town footballer, February 2019.jpg
| caption = Tzanev lining up for Potters Bar Town in 2019
| upright =
| full_name = Nikola Chivarov Tzanev{{Cite web |title=Notification of shirt numbers: AFC Wimbledon |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |access-date=17 September 2020 |publisher=English Football League |page=3}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|12|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Newport County
| clubnumber = 1
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Hampton & Richmond Borough
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Crystal Palace
| youthyears3 = {{0|0000}}–2015
| youthclubs3 = Brentford
| years1 = 2015–2016
| clubs1 = Brentford
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2015
| clubs2 = → Lewes (loan)
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2017–2024
| clubs3 = AFC Wimbledon
| caps3 = 104
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = → Potters Bar Town (loan)
| caps4 = 15
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2019–2020
| clubs5 = → Sutton United (loan)
| caps5 = 20
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2024–2025
| clubs6 = Northampton Town
| caps6 = 17
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = Newport County
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalteam1 = New Zealand U20
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–
| nationalteam2 = New Zealand
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 17:47, 17 June 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:22, 10 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
Nikola Chivarov Tzanev (born 23 December 1996) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|NewportC}} club Newport County and the New Zealand national team.
Tzanev is a product of the Brentford Academy and began his professional career with the club. He began his senior career with AFC Wimbledon in 2017 and by 2021, had established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. Following the loss of his first-choice status during the 2023–24 season, Tzanev played for Northampton Town and Newport County.
Club career
= Brentford =
A goalkeeper, Tzanev moved from his native New Zealand to England in 2006. He trained with a Chelsea development programme and Hampton & Richmond Borough, before joining the academy at Crystal Palace.{{Cite web |title=Donning The Gloves |url=https://goalkeeper.com/news-and-media/exclusives/post/nik-tzanev-ashley-bayes-exclusive |access-date=26 March 2023 |website=Goalkeeper.com |language=en}} He moved to join the academy at Brentford and progressed through the ranks to sign a Youth Development contract in 2013, which enabled him to continue his education through to his A-levels.{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Brentford Youth Team goalkeeper Nik Tzanev reacts to being named Youth Team Player of the Year |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/an-honour-for-nik-tzanev-to-be-named-youth-team-players-player-of-the-year_70633 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}} He made 39 appearances for the youth team during the final three seasons of his youth career and won the club's Youth Team Player of the Year award for his performances during the 2014–15 season.{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Youth Team Stats 2012/13 |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2013/may/youth-team-stats-201213/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233911/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2013/may/youth-team-stats-201213/ |archive-date=7 November 2020 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=2013/14 Youth Team Statistics |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/april/201314-youth-team-statistics/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731134459/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/april/201314-youth-team-statistics/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=2014/15 Youth Team player statistics |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2015/may/201415-youth-team-player-statistics/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731134458/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2015/may/201415-youth-team-player-statistics/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Nik Tvanev wins Youth Team Players's Player of the Year Award for Brentford FC |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/nik-tzanev-receives-youth-team-players-player-of-the-year-award_70579 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}}
Tzanev signed a one-year Development Squad contract at the end of the 2014–15 season,{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Nik Tzanev returns to Brentford after loan spell with Ryman Premier League side Lewes |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/nik-tzanev-returns-from-loan-spell_69552 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}} but made just eight appearances and played a month away on loan at Isthmian League Premier Division strugglers Lewes before his release at the end of the 2015–16 season.{{Cite web |title=2015/16 Development Squad Stats |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/june/201516-development-squad-stats/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228153839/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/june/201516-development-squad-stats/ |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=www.brentfordfc.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Four young players will be leaving Brentford when their contracts expire at the end of the season |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/development-squad-contract-update_66798 |access-date=20 July 2016}}
= AFC Wimbledon =
== 2016–2018 ==
During the course of the 2016–17 season, Tzanev trialled with EFL clubs Wycombe Wanderers and Hartlepool United.{{Cite web |title=Wanderers hold QPR to 0–0 draw |url=http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/14637810.Wanderers_hold_QPR_to_0_0_draw/ |access-date=5 June 2018 |website=Bucks Free Press |date=22 July 2016 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Alex Bruton scores York City reserves' consolation in 2–1 defeat to Hartlepool as Derwin Martina makes debut |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/15139258.Alex_Bruton_scores_York_City_reserves__consolation_in_2_1_defeat_to_Hartlepool_as_Derwin_Martina_makes_debut/ |access-date=17 March 2017 |website=York Press |date=7 March 2017 |language=en}} He joined the AFC Wimbledon Development Squad on trial in March 2017 and impressed enough to be awarded a contract until the end of the season on 28 April 2017.{{Citation |last=AFC Wimbledon TV |title=Nik Tzanev delighted to join AFC Wimbledon |date=8 May 2017 |time=0:26 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcAB52HfeOM |access-date=10 May 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Slavin |first=Chris |title=Young Dons bow out of cup |url=http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/young-dons-bow-out-of-cup-3598294.aspx |access-date=17 March 2017 |language=en}} He was called into the first team squad for the club's final match of the season versus Oldham Athletic and remained an unused substitute during the 0–0 draw. Tzanev signed a new contract on 8 May 2017 and was an unused substitute on five occasions during the 2017–18 season.{{Cite news |last=Slavin |first=Chris |title=Nik signs for Wimbledon |url=http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/nik-signs-for-wimbledon-3710908.aspx |access-date=10 May 2017 |language=en}}
== 2018–19 season ==
Tzanev signed a new contract in July 2018,{{Cite news |title=Kiwi international Nik commits his future to AFC Wimbledon |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2018/july/kiwi-international-nik-commits-his-future-to-afc-wimbledon/ |access-date=17 July 2018 |language=en-gb}} but received just one call into the first team squad during the first half of the 2018–19 season. On 18 January 2019, Tzanev joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Potters Bar Town on a one-month loan,{{Cite web |title=Nik goes out on loan to Bostik Premier League club |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2019/january/nik-goes-out-on-loan-to-bostik-premier-league-club/ |access-date=20 January 2019 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}} which was subsequently extended until the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Striker signs new contract at AFC Wimbledon |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2019/february/striker-signs-new-contract-at-afc-wimbledon/ |access-date=21 February 2019 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}} He made 15 appearances during his spell.
== 2019–20 season ==
Having signed a contract extension in February 2019, injury to first-choice goalkeeper Nathan Trott allowed Tzanev to make his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2019–20 season,{{Cite web |last=Cawley |first=Richard |date=9 August 2019 |title=AFC Wimbledon keeper Nik Tzanev puts skiing plans on ice as he chases his dream |url=https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/afc-wimbledon-keeper-nik-tzanev-puts-skiing-plans-on-ice-as-he-chases-his-dream/ |access-date=25 August 2019 |language=en-GB}} in a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United. Tzanev made three further appearances before spending the remainder of the season away on loan at National League club Sutton United, whom he joined on 15 November 2019.{{Cite web |title=Nik goes on loan to National League neighbours |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2019/november/nik-tzanev-joins-sutton-united-on-loan/ |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Dons keeper extends loan spell after making his mark |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2020/january/dons-keeper-extends-loan-spell-after-making-his-mark/ |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}} He made 19 appearances before the season was ended early.{{Cite news |date=22 April 2020 |title=National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}
== 2020–21 season ==
Tzanev served as backup to goalkeepers Connal Trueman and then Sam Walker for much of the 2020–21 season and played predominantly in cup matches.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2021 |title=Dons keeper Tzanev: I'd have jumped into stand to celebrate my penalty save if supporters were at Plough Lane |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/dons-keeper-tzanev-id-have-jumped-into-stand-to-celebrate-my-penalty-save-if-supporters-were-at-plough-lane/ |access-date=21 April 2021 |website=South London News |language=en-GB}} An injury suffered by Walker in March 2021 allowed Tzanev to break into the starting lineup for the first time in his career with the club and he finished the season with 19 appearances.{{Cite web |title=Tzanev stars before late rally just fails to earn all three points |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/march/report-rovers-v-wimbledon/ |access-date=21 April 2021 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}}
== 2022–2024 ==
Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Tzanev was awarded squad number 1 and after starting each of the Dons' first eight matches of the campaign, he signed a new three-year contract.{{Cite web |title=Safe hands for the future! Nik signs new deal |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/september/safe-hands-for-the-future-nik-signs-new-deal/ |access-date=7 September 2021 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}} He made a career-high 53 appearances during a 2021–22 season which culminated in relegation to League Two.{{Fchd|id=AFC-WIMB|name=AFC Wimbledon}} Tzanev made 41 appearances during the 2022–23 season, in which the club narrowly avoided a second-successive relegation. Tzanev spent the 2023–24 season behind loanee Alex Bass and made just 9 appearances,{{Cite web |date=5 October 2023 |title=Johnnie Jackson savours way Wimbledon executed professional away job at Harrogate |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-savours-way-wimbledon-executed-professional-away-job-at-harrogate/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |website=South London News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title="Ro is back and raring to go!" |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2024/april/ronan-returns-but-ever-present-alex-a-doubt-for-dons/ |access-date=27 April 2024 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}} predominantly in cup competitions. Tzanev was released when his contract expired and ended his AFC Wimbledon career on 126 appearances.{{Cite web |title=Retained List 2023/24 |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2024/april/retained-list-202324/ |access-date=29 April 2024 |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |language=en-gb}}{{soccerbase|102652}}
=Northampton Town=
On 3 July 2024, Tzanev signed a one-year contract with League One club Northampton Town on a free transfer.{{Cite web |date=3 July 2024 |title=Nik Tzanev Joins Northampton Town |url=https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2024/july/03/nik-tzanev-joins-northampton-town/ |access-date=3 July 2024 |website=www.ntfc.co.uk}} In competition with Lee Burge,{{Cite web |date=3 March 2025 |title=Kevin Nolan explains reasons for dropping Nik Tzanev and recalling Lee Burge |url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/kevin-nolan-explains-reasons-for-dropping-nik-tzanev-and-recalling-lee-burge-5013977 |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=Northampton Chronicle and Echo |language=en}} Tzanev made 23 appearances during the 2024–25 season and was released when his contract expired.{{Cite web |title=End of season retained list |url=https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/06/end-of-season-retained-list/ |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=www.ntfc.co.uk}}
= Newport County =
On 17 June 2025, Tzanev joined League Two club Newport County on a free transfer, signed an undisclosed-length contract set to be effective from 1 July 2025.{{Cite web |date=17 June 2025 |title=Newport County catch ‘keeper Nik |url=https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/newport-county-catch-keeper-nik |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Newport County A.F.C.}}{{Cite web |date=17 June 2025 |title=Nik Tzanev: Newport County agree deal for New Zealand goalkeeper |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq8z23972l8o |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}
International career
Tzanev won his maiden call up to the New Zealand U20 squad for two friendlies versus Uzbekistan in April 2015 and made his debut in the second match,{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Brentford Youth Team goalkeeper Nik Tzanev gets New Zealand Under-20 call-up for Uzbekistan friendlies |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-youth-team-goalkeeper-nik-tzanev-gets-new-zealand-call_70435 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=brentfordfc.com}} playing the full 90 minutes.{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Brentford Youth Team goalkeeper Nik Tzanev plays for New Zealand Under-20 against Uzbekistan |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-youth-team-goalkeeper-nik-tzanev-makes-new-zealand-debut_70698 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=brentfordfc.com}} He was called into the New Zealand squad for the 2015 U20 World Cup, held on home turf and he made two appearances as the All Whites reached the last-16.{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=New Zealand International Nik Tzanev reflects on Under-20 World Cup and ahead to Brentord season |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/nik-tzanev-reflects-on-incredible-summer_71713 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=brentfordfc.com}} He was subsequently called into the U23 squad for the 2015 Pacific Games, but failed to make an appearance.{{Cite web |title=Nik Tzanev's Olympic dream appears over |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/nik-tzanevs-olympic-dream-appears-over_71489 |access-date=26 March 2023 |website=brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}
Tzanev received his maiden senior international call-up for a friendly match versus Canada on 25 March 2018 and was an unused substitute during the 1–0 defeat.{{Cite news |title=Nik's progress rewarded with international call-up |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2018/march/niks-progress-rewarded-with-international-call-up/ |access-date=15 April 2018 |work=AFC Wimbledon |language=en-gb}} He was named in a youthful squad for the 2018 Intercontinental Cup and made his full international debut with a start in a 1–0 victory over Chinese Taipei on 5 June 2018.{{Cite web |title=All Whites squad named for Intercontinental Cup |url=http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/63061 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526190108/http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/63061 |archive-date=26 May 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 |website=nzfootball.co.nz}}{{NFT player|71347|accessdate=8 June 2018}} Call-ups for pairs of friendlies in October 2021 and June 2023 respectively yielded no appearances.{{Cite web |title=Squad confirmed for games against Curaçao and Bahrain |url=https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/108386?newsfeedId=1275622 |access-date=27 September 2021 |website=nzfootball.co.nz}}{{Cite web |title=All Whites squad announced for games this month against Sweden and Qatar |url=https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/nzfootball/newsarticle/129219?newsfeedid=1275622 |access-date=6 June 2023 |website=nzfootball.co.nz}} More than five years after his first cap, Tzanev won his second with a start in a 1–1 friendly draw with DR Congo on 13 October 2023. Tzanev was named in the 2025 Canadian Shield squad and was an unused substitute in both matches.{{Cite web |date=26 May 2025 |title=Team Rosters Announced For Inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament |url=https://www.bmofield.com/assets/doc/RELEASE-TEAM-ROSTERS-ANNOUNCED-FOR-INAUGURAL-CANADIAN-SHIELD-TOURNAMENT-8e13ebe8b0.pdf |access-date=9 June 2025}}
Personal life
Tzanev was born in Wellington and moved to Auckland at age three, before moving to London in 2006 at age 9.{{Cite news |last=Gellard |first=Paul |date=9 May 2017 |title=Remember You're A Womble… An Interview With Nik Tzanev |url=http://oceaniafootball.co.uk/remember-youre-a-womble-an-interview-with-nik-tzanev/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516132502/http://oceaniafootball.co.uk/remember-youre-a-womble-an-interview-with-nik-tzanev/ |archive-date=16 May 2017 |access-date=10 May 2017 |work=oceaniafootball.co.uk |language=en-GB}} He attended Hinchley Wood School.{{Cite web |title=Hinchley Wood School Newsletter: Winter 2012 |url=http://www.hinchleywoodschool.co.uk/uploads/newsletter/Winter%202012%20Newsletter.pdf}} He holds dual nationality with Bulgaria.{{Cite web |title=Nik Tzanev |url=http://www.thefinalball.com/player.php?id=461328 |access-date=20 July 2016 |website=thefinalball.com}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{Updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|match played 10 June 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team !Year !Apps !Goals |
| rowspan="2" |New Zealand
|2018 |1 |0 |
| 2023
|1 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!2 !0 |
|---|
Honours
Individual
- Brentford Youth Team Player of the Year: 2014–15
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerbase|102652}}
- {{FIFA player|385416}}
{{Newport County A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tzanev, Nik}}
Category:New Zealand men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:New Zealand people of Bulgarian descent
Category:New Zealand expatriate men's association footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:New Zealand men's under-20 international footballers
Category:New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Association footballers from Wellington City
Category:New Zealand men's international footballers
Category:AFC Wimbledon players
Category:Potters Bar Town F.C. players
Category:Sutton United F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players