Georgi Penkov Bozhilov (Bulgarian: Георги Божилов, born 12 February 1987) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays for Kostinbrod.[1] He has played much of his career as a second striker but he has also been used as a striker and as an attacking midfielder.

Georgi Bozhilov
Personal information
Full name Georgi Penkov Bozhilov
Date of birth (1987-02-12) 12 February 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Sofia, Bulgaria
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Second striker / Striker
Team information
Current team
Kostinbrod
Youth career
0000–2002 Septemvri Sofia
2002–2004 CSKA Sofia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Naftex Burgas 21 (0)
2006–2010 Chernomorets Burgas 45 (7)
2009Lokomotiv Plovdiv (loan) 5 (0)
2010–2015 Cherno More 139 (19)
2015–2017 Beroe Stara Zagora 50 (4)
2017–2021 Cherno More 37 (7)
2022 Marek Dupnitsa 29 (6)
2023 Chavdar Etropole 15 (1)
2023 Rilski Sportist 14 (2)
2024– Kostinbrod 1 (0)
International career
2011–2016 Bulgaria 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 January 2023

Career

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Early career

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Born in Sofia, Bozhilov joined CSKA Sofia's Academy at the age of 15 having previously been at Septemvri Sofia. In 2004, he left CSKA's Academy and signed first professional contract with Naftex Burgas, together with his teammates Vladislav Stoyanov and Orlin Starokin.[2]

Chernomorets Burgas

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In June 2006, Bozhilov joined Chernomorets Burgas, but suffered a severe knee injury and missed all matches of the 2006–07 season.[3] He made his league debut in a 6–1 away win at Belasitsa Petrich on 12 August 2007, coming on in the 81st minute as a substitute. Bozhilov then netted his first ever professional goal of his career in the league match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv on 6 October 2007, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 home win. He scored a total of 5 goals in 25 A Group games in the 2007–08 season.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv (loan)

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On 31 August 2009, Bozhilov was loaned out to fellow A Group club Lokomotiv Plovdiv for four months.[4] On 26 November, Bozhilov returned to Chernomorets after a hamstring injury.[5]

Cherno More

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On 24 January 2010, Bozhilov completed a move from Chernomorets to Cherno More, signing a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.[6] He made his competitive debut for Cherno More in a league game against Sliven 2000 on 8 March 2010, wearing the number 14. Bozhilov scored his first goal a week later, in a 3–2 home win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

On 7 January 2012, it was announced that Ukrainian Premier League side Zorya Luhansk had agreed a deal to sign Bozhilov.[7] Five days later, Zorya however pulled out of the transfer after it was reported that he failed his medical with the club.[8]

On 31 August 2013, Bozhilov hit his first goals of the 2013–14 season, scoring twice in the 3–1 home win against Ludogorets Razgrad. He made his 100th league appearance for Cherno More in a 1–0 away win at Neftochimic Burgas on 14 September.

Beroe

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In June 2015, Bozhilov signed a contract with Beroe Stara Zagora as a free agent, after his contract had expired with Cherno More at the end of the 2014–15 season.[9] He scored on his competitive debut for Beroe on 2 July, scoring the second in a 2–0 away victory over Atlantas in the first qualifying round of the 2015–16 Europa League.

Return to Cherno More

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On 14 June 2017, Bozhilov re-joined Cherno More Varna.[10] On 15 July, he scored the winner in his second debut for the team in a 1–0 home win over Vitosha Bistritsa.[11]

International career

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On 2 September 2011, Bozhilov made his debut for the Bulgarian national team, when he came on as a substitute in a Euro 2012 qualifying match against England for the final 28 minutes.[12]

Career statistics

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As of 24 May 2021

Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Naftex 2004–05 11 0 2 0 13 0
2005–06 10 0 1 0 11 0
Chernomorets Burgas 2006–07 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08 25 5 2 1 27 6
2008–09 20 2 1 0 21 2
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2009–10 5 0 0 0 5 0
Cherno More 2009–10 10 3 1 0 11 3
2010–11 28 4 3 0 31 4
2011–12 27 3 1 0 28 3
2012–13 27 5 3 0 30 5
2013–14 27 3 0 0 27 3
2014–15 20 1 1 0 21 1
Beroe 2015–16 29 2 5 0 4 1 38 3
2016–17 21 2 1 0 4 0 26 2
Cherno More 2017–18 20 3 1 0 21 3
2018–19 15 4 2 1 17 5
2019–20 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020–21 2 0 0 0 2 0
Career totals 296 37 24 2 8 1 328 40

Honours

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Club

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Cherno More

References

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  1. ^ "Stats Centre: Georgi Bozhilov Facts". Guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Бягство от "Армията"" (in Bulgarian). temasport.com. 11 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Нападател на Черноморец спира с футбола заради контузия" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 22 February 2007.
  4. ^ "Георги Божилов под наем в Локо (Пд)" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 31 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Георги Божилов напусна окончателно Локо (Пловдив)" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 26 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Божилов официално подписа с Черно море" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 25 January 2010.
  7. ^ "Морето взима над €500 хил. за Пантерата и Божилов" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. 8 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Заря се отказа от Божилов" (in Bulgarian). dariknews.bg. 12 January 2012.
  9. ^ ""Берое" подписа със Спас Делев и още четирима нови" (in Bulgarian). dnevnik.bg. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Черно море започна подготовка с 19 футболисти" (in Bulgarian). chernomorepfc.bg. 14 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Cherno More vs. Vitosha Bistritsa 1–0". soccerway.com. 15 July 2017.
  12. ^ "България – Англия 0:3, мачът по минути" (in Bulgarian). blitz.bg. 2 September 2011.
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