Valeri Bojinov

Valeri Bojinov

Bojinov with Bulgaria in 2011
Personal information
Full name Valeri Emilov Bojinov
Date of birth (1986-02-15) 15 February 1986
Place of birth Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bulgaria
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Forward
Club 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 29 (18)
National team‡
2004–2015 Bulgaria[1] 43 (6)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 April 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 June 2015

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

Club career

Lecce

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

Fiorentina

Bojinov was acquired by Fiorentina in January 2005.[4] He made his club debut against Palermo, playing the full match on 2 February 2005.[5] On 26 February 2005, he scored his first goal for Fiorentina, against Udinese.[6] On 8 May 2005, Bojinov scored a winning goal in 79th minute against Chievo at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi in 1–2 away win.[7] During the 2004–05 season, Bojinov has played a total of nine matches, scoring two goals.

Juventus

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

Manchester City

On 3 August 2007, it was reported that Bojinov completed his move to English Premier League club Manchester City, signing a four-year contract in an undisclosed fee deal.[8][9] On 11 August 2007, he made his debut for the club in a 0–2 away win against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground, entering as a substitute for Rolando Bianchi in the 60th minute in league play.[10]

Bojinov was ruled out of action for five months after he suffered a knee ligament injury against Manchester United in August 2007.[11] 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 Émile 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.

Bojinov scored his first goal for the club in over a year in a pre-season friendly against Stockport County. He also scored the winning goal in a friendly against Milan on 9 August 2008.[12] 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.[13]

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 on 1 March 2009. He then appeared again as a late substitute for Manchester City by entering as an 83rd-minute substitute for Elano against Aston Villa.[14] Bojinov made his first start since 2007 in a 1–0 home win over Sunderland on 22 March 2009, but was substituted in the 65th minute for the return of injured Craig Bellamy. He scored his first league goal in the 2–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 May 2009, four minutes after coming on as a substitute for compatriot Martin Petrov in the 61st minute away at White Hart Lane.[15][16]

Parma

It was announced on 29 July 2009 that Bojinov would be joining Italian side Parma on a season-long loan deal.[17] He decided to wear number 86. On 23 September 2009 he scored his first official goal for Parma against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico. He also won a penalty for his team; the match ended in a 1–2 away win.[18] On 24 March 2010, Bojinov scored against Milan in 90th minute in 1–0 home win.[19] During the 2009–10 season, Bojinov played 31 matches in all competitions, scoring eight goals.[20]

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 Hernán Crespo and Amauri in the early and late parts of the season, respectively.

Sporting CP

On 6 July 2011, Portuguese side Sporting CP signed Bojinov on a five-year contract, paying €2.6million for 80% of his registration rights, which could have risen to €3.5 million depending on his performances.[21][22] His transfer to Sporting saw Chilean midfielder Jaime Valdés move on loan to Parma as part of the exchange.[23]

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 Nordsjælland in a UEFA Europa League play-off tie.[24] He would score for Sporting for the first time on 24 October against Gil Vicente.[25] A brace against the Barcelos side saw Bojinov help his side demolish the opposition 6–1 in a gameweek eight Primeira Liga fixture.[26]

On 20 January 2012, Sporting declared Bojinov persona non-grata, forbidding the player from entering the stadium or the training academy, due to his actions in a Taça da Liga match against Moreirense 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, Matías Fernández, prepared to take the shot, but Bojinov took the ball from him, pushing him away and insisting that he would take the shot, despite him having never taken a penalty for Sporting, nor that he had not scored a penalty in 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 club Lecce on a loan deal.[27]

Loan spells to Verona and Vicenza

On 31 August 2012, it was announced that Bojinov became an official Verona player, joining on a year-long loan deal.[28] On 17 January 2013, however, he signed with second-division side Vicenza on a separate six-month loan deal.[29] He scored his first goal in his second game for Vicenza against Juve Stabia on 2 February.[30] Bojinov would score again on 26 February, a brace against Grosseto in a 2–1 away win.[31]

Levski Sofia

On the last day of January 2014, it was confirmed that Bojinov signed with Bulgarian side Levski Sofia, the first time in his career he played 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.[32] 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.[33] On 11 May 2014, Bojinov scored two goals in the 2–3 home loss against champions Ludogorets Razgrad.[34]

Ternana

In September 2014, Bojinov cancelled his contract with Levski and joined Italian Serie B side Ternana as a free agent on a one-year contract.[35] 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.[36] On 17 January 2015, Bojinov scored a brace in 2–1 home win over Crotone; the second goal was a fantastic shot from 40 metres.[37]

Partizan

On 14 June 2015, Bojinov signed a two-year contract with Serbian team Partizan.[38] Former Partizan player and Bulgarian international Ivan Ivanov recommended Partizan to Bojinov.[38] 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 the 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 two assists in a 4–0 home win.[39] On 25 July 2015, Bojinov scored twice against Jagodina in a 6–0 home win.[40]

On 22 October 2015, Bojinov was in the starting XI against Athletic Bilbao in his first time 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage.[41] On 13 December 2015, Bojinov enterred the game as a substitute for Ivan Šaponjić in the 59th minute and scored a brace against Rad.[42] In the winter of 2016, Partizan declined separate €2 million offers from both Sporting de Gijón and Rayo Vallecano for Bojinov.[43][44] In January 2016, during an interview, he has promised to any teammate who will assist one of his goals that he would give them €500.[45]

International career

Bojinov (right) playing for Bulgaria in November 2010

Bojinov made his debut for Bulgaria at UEFA 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 the Republic of Ireland in a friendly match during which he also scored his first international goal.[46]

On 17 November 2005, Bojinov has scored a goal against Mexico in friendly match in the United States at NRG Stadium in 3–0 win.[47] On 6 September 2006, Bojinov scored his first international goal, against Slovenia, in 3–0 home win in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. It is also Bulgaria's first goal in Euro 2008 qualifying.

Career statistics

Club

As of 4 May 2016
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lecce 2001–02 2000––0020
2002–03 15210––00162
2003–04 28310––00293
2004–05 201143––002414
Total 651663––007119
Fiorentina 2004–05 9200–000092
2005–06 27632–0000308
Total 36832–00003910
Juventus (loan) 2006–07 18532––00217
Total 18532––00217
Manchester City 2007–08 300000000030
2008–09 810000100091
Total 11100001000121
Parma 2009–10 (loan) 30810–0000318
2010–11 31320–0000333
Total 611130–00006411
Sporting CP 2011–12 8210204100153
Total 8210204100153
Lecce (loan) 2011–12 10100––00101
Total 10100––00101
Verona (loan) 2012–13 13120––00151
Total 13120––00151
Vicenza (loan) 2012–13 18400––00184
Total 18400––00184
Levski Sofia 2013–14 14611–0000157
2014–15 5100––0051
Total 19711–0000208
Ternana 2014–15 27600––00276
Total 27600–0000276
Partizan 2015–16 271830–100004018
Total 271830–100004018
Career total 31380228201510035289

International

As of 30 June 2013

International goals

As of 29 February 2012

Personal life

Bojinov dated a Bulgarian singer Alisia.[49] On 12 September 2007, he became father of a baby son.[50] His son is also named Valeri. He is currently married to Bulgarian Playboy Playmate Nikoleta Lozanova.[51]

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. ↑ "Bojinov, Valeri". nationalfootballteams.com. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  2. ↑ "Che cazzo Valeri?!". bgfootball.com. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "Bojinov bound to Lecce". uefa.com. Retrieved 2 December 2004.
  4. ↑ Football Italia – Player of the Week: Born-again Bojinov
  5. ↑ Fiorentina - Palermo
  6. ↑ Fiorentina - Udinese Calcio
  7. ↑ Chievo - Fiorentina
  8. ↑ "Bojinov seals switch to Man City". BBC Sport. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  9. ↑ "Bojinov signs for City". Manchester City FC official site. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  10. ↑ "West Ham United v City". mcfc.co.uk. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "Man City rocked by Bojinov injury". BBC Sport. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
  12. ↑ "City v AC Milan". mcfc.co.uk. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Man City 2-0 Aston Villa". bbc.co.uk. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Seventh heaven for Zola's Hammers". TEAMtalk. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
  15. ↑ "Tottenham building upon foundations Manchester City eye with envy". theguardian.com. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Tottenham 2-1 Man City". bbc.co.uk. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Bojinov dal Manchester City al Parma (in prestito)" (in Italian). www.fcparma.com. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "LAZIO VS. PARMA 1 - 2". soccerway.com. 23 September 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  19. ↑ "PARMA VS. MILAN 1 - 0". soccerway.com. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "CAMPIONATO Serie A 2009/2010". parma1913.com. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  21. ↑ Sporting CP (6 July 2011). "COMUNICADO" [Communication] (PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  22. ↑ "Bojinov até 2016 com cláusula de 25 milhões". A Bola (abola.pt). 6 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  23. ↑ "Valdés cedido ao Parma". A Bola (abola.pt). 6 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  24. ↑ "Sporting 2–1 Nordsjaelland". ZeroZero (in Portuguese). 25 August 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  25. ↑ "Sporting 6–1 Gil Vicente". ZeroZero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  26. ↑ "Sporting soma nona vitória consecutiva com goleada de 6x1" [Sporting adds ninth consecutive victory with a thrashing of 6x1]. ZeroZero (in Portuguese). 24 October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  27. ↑ "Sporting CP to take disciplinary action against Valeri Bojinov". Goal.com. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  28. ↑ "Ufficiali: ecco Daniele Cacia e Valeri Bojinov" (in Italian). Hellas Verona F.C. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Bojinov muda-se para o Vicenza" [Bojinov goes to Vicenza]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 17 January 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  30. ↑ "Vicenza 1–2 Juve Stabia". ZeroZero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  31. ↑ "Grosseto 1–2 Vicenza". ZeroZero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  32. ↑ "Левски пак се изложи в Кипър, Теплице удари "сините" с 4:2". topsport.bg. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  33. ↑ "Levski Sofia vs. Botev Plovdiv 3–1". flashscore.com. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "И резервите на Лудогорец биха Левски, "сините" с 14-та загуба за сезона". topsport.bg. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  35. ↑ topsport editors. "СНИМКИ: Тернана представи Божинов, нападателят с договор за година". topsport.bg. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  36. ↑ "Virtus Entella-Ternana 2-1, notte fonda per i rossoverdi a Chiavari: non basta il gol di Bojinov". umbria24.it. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  37. ↑ "TERNANA - CROTONE 2 - 1. Bojinov mattatore di giornata segna due reti spettacolari". terninrete.it. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  38. 1 2 Mozzart Sport (June 14, 2015). "Božinov zna gde je došao: U Partizanu kao u Juventusu, ne doživljavam ovo kao "restart" karijere" (in Serbian).
  39. ↑ Mozzart Sport (July 17, 2015). "Bugarski uragan 15 minuta duvao Humskom ulicom! Valeri Božinov će u ovoj ligi ipak biti strah za golmane (VIDEO)" (in Serbian).
  40. ↑ Mozzart Sport (July 25, 2015). "Partizan imao lakši trening u Humskoj, Jagodina poslužila kao džak za udaranje (VIDEO)" (in Serbian).
  41. ↑ "Athletic conquer Partizan's Belgrade fortress". uefa.com. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  42. ↑ "Božinov doneo bod Partizanu na Banjici". b92.net. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  43. ↑ "Partizan odbio dve ponude iz Primere: Za svog prvog strelca traži 2.000.000 evra". mozzartsport.com. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  44. ↑ "Партизан спря Божинов за Примера дивисион". livesport.bg. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  45. ↑ "КАО ЛУКА ТОНИ: Божинов даје 500 евра за асистенцију". Sportski Žurnal. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  46. ↑ "Стоичков дебютира с равенство". NDT Newspaper. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  47. ↑ "Mexico - Bulgaria 0:3 (Friendlies 2005, November)". worldfootball.net. 17 November 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  48. ↑ "Football PLAYER: Valeri Bozhinov". eu-football.info. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  49. ↑ "Валери и Алисия направиха бебе в Париж" (in Bulgarian). 7sport.net. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
  50. ↑ "Валери Божинов стана татко на момче" (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  51. ↑ "Валери и Николета вече са семейство.Те имат дъщеря, която се казва Никол." (in Bulgarian). Sportni.bg. Retrieved 10 October 2011.

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