Valeri Bojinov

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Valeri Bojinov
Valeri Bojinov.jpeg
Bojinov with Bulgaria in 2011
Personal information
Full name Valeri Emilov Bojinov
Date of birth (1986-02-15) 15 February 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bulgaria
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Partizan
Number 86
Youth career
1998–2000 Pietà Hotspurs
2000–2002 Lecce
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Lecce 65 (16)
2005–2007 Fiorentina 36 (8)
2006–2007 → Juventus (loan) 18 (5)
2007–2010 Manchester City 11 (1)
2009–2010 → Parma (loan) 30 (8)
2010–2011 Parma 31 (3)
2011–2013 Sporting CP 8 (2)
2012 → Lecce (loan) 10 (1)
2012 → Verona (loan) 13 (1)
2013 → Vicenza (loan) 18 (4)
2014 Levski Sofia 19 (7)
2014–2015 Ternana 27 (6)
2015– Partizan 19 (12)
International career‡
2004– Bulgaria[1] 43 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 December 2015
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 June 2013

Valeri Emilov Bojinov (Bulgarian: Валери Божинов, pronounced [vɐˈlɛri boˈʒinof]; born 15 February 1986) is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Serbian SuperLiga side Partizan. Internationally, he plays for the Bulgaria national football team.

Biography

Born in Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bulgaria, Bojinov moved to Malta at the age of 12 with his mother Pepa, a former Bulgaria women's national football team player and stepfather Sasho Angelov, who had played for the Bulgarian national football team during the 1990s.[2]

Bojinov was discovered at the age of 14 by Lecce sports director Pantaleo Corvino, while playing for Pietà Hotspurs, and signed for just 30,000,000 ITL (around €15,000).[citation needed]

Club career

Lecce

Bojinov settled in Lecce and continued his studies there while playing for U.S. Lecce youth teams. He debuted in Italian Serie A on 22 January 2002, at the age of 15 years and 11 months for U.S. Lecce, becoming the youngest foreign player to make an appearance in the top level of Italian football.[3] He scored his first goal in the top division on 6 January 2004 in a home 1–2 defeat against Bologna, becoming the youngest non-national to score in Serie A.[citation needed]

Fiorentina

Bojinov was soon picked up by Fiorentina in January 2005.[4]

Juventus

For the 2006–07 season, Fiorentina loaned Bojinov to Juventus, who had just been relegated to Serie B. He struggled a bad season.

Manchester City

On 3 August 2007, it was reported that Bojinov completed his move to Manchester City, signing a four-year contract in an undisclosed fee deal.[5][6]

He was ruled out for five months, after suffering a knee ligament injury against Manchester United in August 2007.[7] He returned to full training on 22 January 2008, scoring five goals in a bounce game. On 11 February 2008, Bojinov played in a Manchester City reserve game, where he came on as a substitute and scored a header from a cross by Emile Mpenza. Manchester City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson told Bojinov that he would not be ready to play in the game against Everton on 25 February 2008. He did not manage to make a come-back to the first team squad in the 2007/08 season, but he did make some appearances for the Reserve squad and was included in City's tour of Asia.

He scored his first goal for the club over a year after joining in a pre-season friendly against Stockport County. He also scored the winning goal in a friendly against Milan on 9 August 2008. On 17 August 2008, Bojinov was ruled out for six months after suffering an Achilles injury as he was running on to the pitch to warm up against Aston Villa.

In mid-February 2009, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes declared that Bojinov was going to play a practice match "Behind closed doors" as he was nearing his return to first team football. He played 65 minutes for the reserves on 17 February 2009. He even scored a penalty against rivals Manchester United in a reserve game while regaining match fitness.

Bojinov made his return to Premier League football, by coming on as an 89th-minute substitute against West Ham United on 1 March 2009. He then appeared again as a late substitute for Manchester City by coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute in place of Elano against Aston Villa.[8] Valeri made his first start since 2007 in the 1–0 home win over Sunderland on 22 March 2009, but was substituted in the 65th minute which saw the return of injured Craig Bellamy. He finally scored his first league goal in the 2–1 loss against Tottenham on 16 May 2009, four minutes after coming on as a substitute for compatriot Martin Petrov in the 61st minute.

Parma

It was announced on 29 July 2009 that Bojinov would be joining Italian side Parma, on a season long loan. He decided to wear number 86. On 23 September 2009 he scored his first official goal for Parma against Lazio. He also won a penalty for his team. The match ended in a 1–2 away win for Parma.

On 4 July 2010 it was confirmed that Parma had completed the permanent signing of Bojinov. However, Bojinov endured a difficult season, largely restricted to the bench thanks to a combination of his own sub-par performances; the regular use of just one forward in the team; and regular goals coming from Hernan Crespo and Amauri in the early and late parts of the season, respectively.

Sporting

On 6 July 2011, Sporting signed Bojinov on a 5-year contract, paying €2.6million for 80% of his registration rights, which could have risen to €3.5 million depending on his performance with the Portuguese side.[9][10] His transfer to Sporting, saw Chilean midfielder Jaime Valdés move on loan to Parma as part of the exchange.[11]

During his time with the Lisbon outfit, he was primarily used by coach Domingos Paciência as a substitute. He made his first team debut on 25 August, against Danish side FC Nordsjælland in a UEFA Europa League play-off tie.[12] Bojinov would score for Sporting for the first time on 24 October, against Gil Vicente.[13] A brace against the Barcelos side saw Bojinov help his side demolish the opposition 6–1 in a gameweek eight Primeira Liga fixture.[14]

On 20 January 2012, Sporting CP declared Bojinov persona non-grata, forbidding the player from entering the stadium or the training academy, due to his actions in the league Cup match game against Moreirense F.C. that was played the previous day. At 92 minutes Sporting was conceded a decisive penalty kick that would, if scored, give the team the victory. The regular penalty taker for Sporting, Matias Fernandez, prepared to take the shot, but Bojinov took the ball from him, pushing him away and insisting that he would do it, even though the player had never taken a penalty for Sporting, and hadn't scored a penalty during an official game since 2006. He failed to score, infuriating the supporters and Sporting's managers, who subsequently banned Bojinov on the basis that he disrespected the decision of the coach and therefore the rules of the club. He then joined his former team Lecce on a loan.[15]

Loan spells to Verona and Vicenza

On 31 August 2012, it was announced that he is officially a Verona player, on a year long loan.[16]

On 17 January 2013, he signed with second-division side Vicenza on a six-month loan.[17] Bojinov scored his first goal in his second game for Vicenza against Juve Stabia on 2 February.[18] Bojinov would score again on 26 February, a brace against Grosseto in a 2–1 away win.[19]

Levski Sofia

On the last day of January 2014 it was officially confirmed that Bojinov was signing with Bulgarian side Levski Sofia, the first time in his career he plays for a club in his home country. He scored a goal on his unofficial debut on 7 February in a 2–4 loss in a friendly match against Czech side Teplice.[20] Bojinov netted his first goal in an official match on 12 March, in a 3–1 win over Botev Plovdiv in a Bulgarian Cup game.[21] On 11 May 2014, Bojinov scored two goals in the 2–3 home loss against champions Ludogorets Razgrad.[22]

Ternana

In September 2014, Bojinov cancelled his contract with Levski and joined Serie B side Ternana as a free agent for a period of one year.[23] He made his debut against Bologna on 23 September, playing the full 90 minutes. On 4 November, against Virtus Entella at the Stadio Comunale, Bojinov scored his first goal for Ternana with a 49th-minute equaliser in a 2–1 loss.

Partizan

On 14 June 2015, Bojinov signed a two-year contract with Serbian team Partizan.[24] Former Partizan player and Bulgarian international Ivan Ivanov recommended Partizan to Bojinov.[24] Bojinov took number 86 on the jersey and said that it was his lucky number and chose to wear it on the jersey. He made his official debut for the club in a Second qualifying round UEFA Champions League, against Dila Gori on 14 July 2015. In that match, he spent 77 minutes on the field without scoring. On 17 July 2015, against Metalac, Bojinov scored his first goal for Partizan. In that match, he scored one goal and had 2 assists in a 4–0 home win.[25] On 25 July 2015, Bojinov scored twice against Jagodina in a 6-0 home win.[25]

International career

Bojinov made his debut for the national side during Euro 2004 – on 22 June 2004, he came on as a substitute in the 1–2 loss against Italy. He earned his second cap on 19 August 2004 in the 1–1 away draw against Ireland in a friendly match, during which he also scored his first international goal.[26]

Career statistics

Club

As of 24 July 2015
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lecce 2001–02 2 0 0 0 – – 0 0 2 0
2002–03 15 2 1 0 – – 0 0 16 2
2003–04 28 3 1 0 – – 0 0 29 3
2004–05 20 11 4 3 – – 0 0 24 14
Total 65 16 6 3 – – 0 0 71 19
Fiorentina 2004–05 9 2 0 0 – 0 0 0 0 9 2
2005–06 27 6 3 2 – 0 0 0 0 30 8
Total 36 8 3 2 – 0 0 0 0 39 10
Juventus (loan) 2006–07 18 5 3 2 – – 0 0 21 7
Total 18 5 3 2 – – 0 0 21 7
Manchester City 2007–08 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2008–09 8 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 1
2009–10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 1
Parma 2009–10 30 8 1 0 – 0 0 0 0 31 8
2010–11 31 3 2 0 – 0 0 0 0 33 3
Total 61 11 3 0 – 0 0 0 0 64 11
Sporting CP 2011–12 8 2 1 0 2 0 4 1 0 0 15 3
Total 8 2 1 0 2 0 4 1 0 0 15 3
Lecce (loan) 2011–12 10 1 0 0 – – 0 0 10 1
Total 10 1 0 0 – – 0 0 10 1
Verona (loan) 2012–13 13 1 2 0 – – 0 0 15 1
Total 13 1 2 0 – – 0 0 15 1
Vicenza (loan) 2012–13 18 4 0 0 – – 0 0 18 4
Total 18 4 0 0 – – 0 0 18 4
Levski Sofia 2013–14 14 6 1 1 – 0 0 0 0 15 7
2014–15 5 1 0 0 – – 0 0 5 1
Total 19 7 1 1 – 0 0 0 0 20 8
Ternana 2014–15 27 6 0 0 – – 0 0 27 6
Total 27 6 0 0 – 0 0 0 0 27 6
Partizan 2015–16 19 12 1 0 – 10 0 0 0 30 12

International

As of 30 June 2013

International goals

As of 29 February 2012

Personal life

Bojinov dated a Bulgarian singer Alisia.[28] On 12 September 2007, he became father of a baby son.[29] His son is also named Valeri. He is currently married to Bulgarian playmate Nikoleta Lozanova.[30]

Honours

Lecce
Juventus

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Football Italia – Player of the Week: Born-again Bojinov
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "" defined multiple times with different content
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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