Panathinaikos FC announces the acquisition of Ivan Ivanov. The Bulgarian defender has signed a contract until summer 2019 and we welcome him into our “Green” family.
Ivanov was born on February 25, 1988 in the town of Zlatitsa, Bulgaria. He started his football career in 2004, with FC Pirin, while a year later he “moved” to PFC CSKA Sofia. He remained there for five years – with a break in 2007-08 season – as he was loaned to Lokomotiv Plovdiv; he played in 53 games scoring six goals. At his first season he celebrated winning the Bulgarian Cup.
In 2010 he joined the roster of FC Alania Vladikavkaz where he played in 24 games and scored two goals. Then he moved for two years to FC Partizan Belgrade, where he appeared in 59 matches, scored eight goals and won twice the Serbian championship. Afterwards, he joined FC Basel for two years, where he participated in 11 games, winning the Swiss Championship twice. In January 2016 he returned to Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
Ivanov is also an international player, having 40 participations with the national team of his country. Previously he played in almost all the age groups of Bulgaria.This 1,86m. tall left-footed defender won twice the title of Footballer of the year: in Serbia for 2012 and in Bulgaria for 2013 and this being the first player to play in the rearguard, after Trifon Ivanov, in 1996.
Have a look at some photos taken during the signing of his contract:
