Iliya Milanov

Iliya Milanov

Personal information
Full name	Iliya Ventsislavov Milanov
Date of birth	19 February 1992
Place of birth	Levski, Bulgaria
Height	1.84 m (6 ft ^1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Centre-back / Right-back
Club information
Current team	Beroe Stara Zagora
Number	71
Youth career
2005–2009	Litex Lovech
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2009–2016	Litex Lovech	94	(3)
2015–2016	Litex Lovech II	5	(0)
2016–	Beroe Stara Zagora	2	(0)
National team^‡
2011	Bulgaria U19	3	(0)
2011–2013	Bulgaria U21	11	(0)
2013–	Bulgaria	6	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 May 2016. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 March 2016

Iliya Ventsislavov Milanov (Bulgarian: Илия Венциславов Миланов; born 19 February 1992) is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays as a defender for Beroe Stara Zagora.^[1] His twin brother is Georgi Milanov, who plays for CSKA Moscow.

Career

Litex Lovech

Born in Levski, Pleven Province, Milanov began playing football at the local club, before joined the Litex Lovech Academy, together with his twin brother Georgi, in 2005. He was part of a group of young players at the club who guided the club to win the Bulgarian U-17 Championship in June 2009.^[2]

On 3 December 2009, Milanov made his Litex first-team debut in a 4–0 away win over Pirin Gotse Delchev in the Bulgarian Cup, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.^[3] He made his league debut in a 4–2 away win against Sportist Svoge at Chavdar Tsvetkov Stadium on 16 May 2010, in the final game of the 2009–10 A PFG season, playing the full 90 minutes.

During the 2011–12 season, Milanov formed a partnership with Nikolay Bodurov in the centre of defence and has become an established first team player. On 20 April 2013, he hit his first goal, scoring header in the 2–1 home loss against Levski Sofia.^[4]

On 5 January 2016 it was announced that left the club by terminating his contract with paying 3 paychecks,^[5] but later the same day Litex said that this is not possible and he can't cancel his contract and can't leave the club as free agent until 31 July 2017 when his contract ends and if he wants to move in other club they have to pay transfer fee.^[6] Still, the player left the club even after Litex announced they will sue him.^[7]

Beroe Stara Zagora

On 1 March 2016 Milanov signed with Beroe Stara Zagora.^[8]

International career

Shortly afterwards, Milanov was called up to the Bulgaria under-21 team for the first time, making his competitive debut on 3 March 2010, in a 0–2 loss against Montenegro U21. He made his debut for the senior team on 12 October 2012 in a 1-1 draw against Denmark, substituting Georgi Iliev.

Career statistics

Club

As of 23 November 2015

Club	Season	Division	League		Cup		Europe		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Litex Lovech	2009–10	A Group	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
	2010–11		6	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
	2011–12		21	0	4	0	3	0	28	0
	2012–13		27	1	4	0	–		31	1
	2013–14		25	0	1	0	–		26	0
	2014–15		14	2	4	0	0	0	18	2
	2015–16		0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Litex Lovech II	2015–16	B Group	5	0	–		–		5	0
Total	Bulgaria		99	3	16	0	3	0	118	3

National team

Bulgaria national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2012	2	0
2013	2	0
Total	4	0

Honours

Litex Lovech

• Bulgarian A PFG (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
• Bulgarian Supercup (1): 2010

References

1. "Iliya Milanov Facts". Soccerway.com.
2. "Литекс стана шампион при юношите младша" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 2009-06-28.
3. "Пирин ГД - Литекс 0–4" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 2009-12-03.
4. "Левски прекъсна черната серия в Ловеч" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 2013-04-20.
5. Национал на България избяга от Литекс в стил "Мапуку"
6. Литекс дръпна критика на Миланов
7. Илия Миланов още е без отбор
8. Официално: Илия Миланов подписа с Берое

External links

• Profile at National-Football-Teams