Aleks Petkov

Aleks Petkov
Personal information
Full name	Aleks Milenov Petkov
Date of birth	25 July 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth	Sofia, Bulgaria
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Śląsk Wrocław
Number	5
Youth career
2008–2016	Cherno More
2016–2017	Heart of Midlothian
Senior career*
Years	Team
2017–2020	Heart of Midlothian
2018	→ Berwick Rangers (loan)
2019–2020	→ Clyde (loan)
2020	→ Brechin City (loan)
2020	Levski Sofia
2021–2023	Arda Kardzhali
2023–	Śląsk Wrocław
International career‡
2016	Bulgaria U19
2017	Bulgaria U18
2019–2020	Bulgaria U21
2022–	Bulgaria
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:43, 16 November 2024 (UTC); ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 November 2024

Aleks Milenov Petkov (Bulgarian: Алекс Миленов Петков; born 25 July 1999) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Polish club Śląsk Wrocław, which he captains, and the Bulgaria national team.^[1]

Career

Petkov began his career at Cherno More Varna and joined Heart of Midlothian at the age of 16 in June 2016, signing a three-year contract.^[2]

On 22 July 2017, Petkov made his first-team debut, replacing John Souttar during a 3–0 League Cup victory over East Fife at Tynecastle Park. On 19 January 2018, Petkov joined Scottish League Two side Berwick Rangers on loan until the end of the season.^[3] He made his league debut in a 2–3 home loss against Peterhead eleven days later, playing the full 90 minutes.

During the 2019–20 season Petkov was loaned to Clyde and Brechin City.^[4]

On 8 September 2020, Petkov returned to Bulgaria, signing a 1-year deal with Levski Sofia.^[5]

On 6 July 2023, after a two-year stint at Arda Kardzhali, Petkov joined Polish side Śląsk Wrocław on a one-year contract, with an option for another two years.^[6]

International career

Petkov made his debut for the Bulgarian under-21 team on 22 March 2019 in the starting eleven for the friendly against Northern Ireland U21.^[7] He earned his first cap for the senior national team on 26 March 2022, coming on as a substitute during the second half in the 1–2 loss against Qatar in a friendly match.^[8] On 16 November 2023, he scored an own goal in the 97th minute in the penultimate match of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying against Hungary.^[9]

Personal life

His father Milen Petkov was also a professional footballer and Bulgarian international.^[10]

Career statistics

International

As of match played 18 November 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps
Bulgaria	2022	1
	2023	5
	2024	9
Total		15

References

^ Alex Petkov Stats
^ "Talented youngsters join club". heartsfc.co.uk. 15 June 2016.
^ "Irving returns, Petkov loaned out". heartsfc.co.uk. 19 January 2018.
^ "BRECHIN BRING IN PETKOV". SPFL. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
^ "ПФК Левски подписа с Алекс Петков". levski.bg. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "Aleks Petkov piłkarzem Śląska Wrocław" (in Polish). Śląsk Wrocław. 6 July 2023.
^ "България U21 отстъпи с 0:1 в контролата със Северна Ирландия U21" (in Bulgarian). bfunion.bg. 22 March 2019.
^ "Груба грешка ни попари в Катар, "лъвовете" вече 19 мача без успех далеч от дома" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
^ UEFA.com. "Bulgaria-Hungary | European Qualifiers 2024". UEFA.com. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
^ "Милен Петков пред БЛИЦ: Получихме шокираща оферта за сина ми, още треперя!". Blitz.bg/sport.

External links

Aleks Petkov at Soccerway

[soccerway-1] Alex Petkov Stats

[2] "Talented youngsters join club". heartsfc.co.uk. 15 June 2016.

[3] "Irving returns, Petkov loaned out". heartsfc.co.uk. 19 January 2018.

[4] "BRECHIN BRING IN PETKOV". SPFL. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.

[5] "ПФК Левски подписа с Алекс Петков". levski.bg. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[6] "Aleks Petkov piłkarzem Śląska Wrocław" (in Polish). Śląsk Wrocław. 6 July 2023.

[7] "България U21 отстъпи с 0:1 в контролата със Северна Ирландия U21" (in Bulgarian). bfunion.bg. 22 March 2019.

[8] "Груба грешка ни попари в Катар, "лъвовете" вече 19 мача без успех далеч от дома" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.

[9] UEFA.com. "Bulgaria-Hungary | European Qualifiers 2024". UEFA.com. Retrieved 17 November 2023.

[10] "Милен Петков пред БЛИЦ: Получихме шокираща оферта за сина ми, още треперя!". Blitz.bg/sport.

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