Dimitar Evtimov

Bulgarian footballer

Dimitar Evtimov
Evtimov with CSKA Sofia in 2021
Personal information
Full name Dimitar Ivanov Evtimov[1]
Date of birth (1993-09-07) 7 September 1993 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Shumen, Bulgaria[3]
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[4]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 CSKA Sofia
Number 25
Youth career
2000–2009 Volov Shumen
2009–2010 Chavdar Etropole
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Chavdar Etropole 5 (0)
2011–2018 Nottingham Forest 2 (0)
2011 → Ilkeston (loan) 2 (0)
2011 → Gainsborough Trinity (loan) 3 (0)
2013 → Nuneaton Town (loan) 4 (0)
2014–2015 → Mansfield Town (loan) 10 (0)
2016–2017 → Olhanense (loan) 10 (0)
2017 → Port Vale (loan) 1 (0)
2018–2019 Burton Albion 7 (0)
2019–2020 Accrington Stanley 30 (0)
2020– CSKA Sofia 18 (0)
International career
2010–2011 Bulgaria U19 5 (0)
2013 Bulgaria U21 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:06, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

Dimitar Ivanov Evtimov (Bulgarian: Димитър Иванов Евтимов; born 7 September 1993) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for First League club CSKA Sofia.

A former Bulgaria under-21 international, he was signed to Chavdar Etropole from Volov Shumen in 2009. He made his first-team debut during the 2010–11 season, before he joined English club Nottingham Forest in April 2011. From Forest he has spent time on loan at Ilkeston, Gainsborough Trinity, Nuneaton Town, Mansfield Town, Olhanense (Portugal), and Port Vale. He was named as the Championship Apprentice of the Year for the 2012–13 season, however, he left the club in August 2018 after making a total of just three first-team appearances. He signed with Burton Albion in September 2018, and then moved on to Accrington Stanley four months later. He returned to Bulgaria to sign with CSKA Sofia in July 2020 and won the Bulgarian Cup at the end of the 2020–21 season.

Club career

Chavdar Etropole

Evtimov signed with Chavdar Etropole from Volov Shumen in 2009. He made his first-team debut in a 5–1 victory over Kom on 18 September 2010.[5] He made a total of five appearances in the B Group in the 2010–11 season.[3]

Nottingham Forest

Evtimov signed for the English club Nottingham Forest in April 2011.[6] He spent a brief time on loan at Ilkeston, before he joined Gainsborough Trinity in the Conference North on a one-month loan on 10 November 2011.[7] He played three matches in the space of a week for Steve Housham's "Holy Blues", before losing his first-team place. He was named the Championship Apprentice of the Year for the 2012–13 season.[8] On 16 July 2013, he joined Conference Premier club Nuneaton Town on a three-month loan deal.[9] He made four appearances during his stay at Liberty Way.[10] He made his first-team debut for Forest on 21 April 2014, coming on as a late substitute for the injured Dorus de Vries in a 2–0 win at Leeds United.[11] He signed a new two-year contract with the club three months later after new manager Stuart Pearce was told by caretaker manager Gary Brazil that he was a good prospect.[12]

A loan to Wrexham fell through in July 2014 after manager Kevin Wilkin was unable to accept an instant recall option demanded by Forest due to regulations by the FAW.[13] Evtimov instead joined Nottinghamshire League Two club Mansfield Town on 19 August, on loan until 3 January, after impressing manager Paul Cox during pre-season.[14][15] He was named on the Football League team of the week for his performance in a 1–0 win at AFC Wimbledon on 20 December.[16] He played a total of 11 games for the "Stags", and new manager Adam Murray stated that "we attempted to extend his loan but unfortunately for us, Forest see him as part of their long-term plans".[17] Evtimov extended his contract with Forest by a further four years in July 2015, tying him to the club until 2019.[18] Following an injury to de Vries, he made his second appearance for Forest at Sheffield Wednesday on 31 October 2015, and manager Dougie Freedman said that he "cost us the game" after he allowed a strike from Fernando Forestieri to creep underneath him for the only goal of the game.[19]

On 31 August 2016, he signed on loan with Portuguese club Olhanense for the 2016–17 season, who were bottom of the LigaPro.[20] His loan spell at the Estádio José Arcanjo proved a difficult one as he conceded within three minutes of his debut, in a 3–2 defeat at União da Madeira on 10 September.[21] Manager Cristiano Bacci lost his job the following month, and though Evtimov established himself in the first-team under new boss Bruno Baltazar, he was recalled from his loan spell earlier than planned on 13 January, having made ten appearances for the "Lions".[22][23][24] Evtimov started the 2017–18 season as Mark Warburton's third-choice goalkeeper behind Jordan Smith and Stephen Henderson, and was advised by former "Reds" goalkeeper Barry Roche to go out on loan to find first-team football.[25] On 8 August 2017, Evtimov started Forest's first round EFL Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town, conceding a penalty in a 2–1 win. This was Evtimov's first game for Forest since October 2015, and his home debut at the City Ground six years after first joining the club.[26]

On 28 October 2017, Evtimov joined League Two club Port Vale on an emergency loan following an injury to loanee goalkeeper Kelle Roos, and made his "Valiants" debut later that day against Swindon Town at Vale Park.[27][28] At fault for at least one of the goals in a 3–0 defeat, The Sentinel's Michael Baggaley wrote that "Evtimov looked as though he had only just been introduced to his defence, but that’s not a criticism because actually he had".[29] Manager Neil Aspin reserved his criticism for the club's medical staff as they only ruled Roos as unfit to play the previous day.[30] On 31 August 2018, Evtimov's contract with Nottingham Forest was terminated by mutual consent after he found himself behind Costel Pantilimon, Luke Steele and Jordan Smith in the first-team pecking order.[31]

Burton Albion

On 14 September 2018, Evtimov signed a one-month contract with EFL League One club Burton Albion after manager Nigel Clough looked for a goalkeeper with experience in the English Football League to stand in for the injured Stephen Bywater and Bradley Collins.[32] He made his debut the following day in a 2–1 win over Sunderland at the Pirelli Stadium.[33] After the game he said that he was happy with the win and passed on his best wishes to opposition striker Charlie Wyke, who he injured during an accidental collision.[34] On 16 October, Evtimov signed a new one-month contract.[35] Despite Collins being restored to the starting line-up, Evtimov went on to sign a second contract extension with the "Brewers" to keep him at the club until January.[36]

Accrington Stanley

On 19 January 2019, Evtimov signed an 18-month contract with EFL League One club Accrington Stanley.[37] He was signed by manager John Coleman after loanee goalkeeper Connor Ripley was recalled by Middlesbrough.[38] He made his debut the same day, replacing Luke Armstrong in the 83rd minute of the club's 1–0 defeat at Charlton Athletic after Jonny Maxted was sent off; after the match he said he was "gutted" to concede the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage-time.[39][40] On 5 March, he was sent off after he tossed a bottle thrown by a Blackpool fan back into the crowd.[41] He was sent off for the second time in his Stanley career on 20 April after giving away two penalties in a 3–0 defeat to Luton Town at the Crown Ground.[42] He was one of five players released by the club at the end of the 2019–20 season.[43]

CSKA Sofia

On 17 July 2020, Evtimov returned to Bulgaria, signing for First League side CSKA Sofia, a club he supported growing up.[44] He was a back-up to Brazilian goalkeeper Gustavo Busatto and played only seven games during the 2020–21 season.[3] He won a Bulgarian Cup winners' medal after being an unused substitute in the 2021 cup final win over Arda Kardzhali at the Vasil Levski National Stadium.[45] He featured twelve times in the 2021–22 season and played six games in the 2022–23 campaign.[3]

International career

Evtimov won caps for the under-19 and under-21 teams before he was called up to the senior Bulgaria squad in November 2018.[46]

Career statistics

As of match played 18 February 2024
Club Season League Domestic Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chavdar Etropole 2010–11[3] B Group 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 5 0
Nottingham Forest 2011–12[47] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2012–13[48] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2013–14[49] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2014–15[50] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2015–16[51] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2016–17[52] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2017–18[53] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
2018–19[54] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 1 0 — 3 0
Ilkeston (loan) 2011–12[55] Northern Premier League
Division One South 		2 0 — — 1[a] 0 3 0
Gainsborough Trinity (loan) 2011–12[3] Conference North 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Nuneaton Town (loan) 2013–14[3] Conference Premier 4 0 0 0 — 0 0 4 0
Mansfield Town (loan) 2014–15[3] League Two 10 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 11 0
Olhanense (loan) 2016–17[3] LigaPro 10 0 0 0 — 0 0 10 0
Port Vale (loan) 2017–18[3] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Burton Albion 2018–19[54] League One 7 0 0 0 2 0 1[b] 0 10 0
Accrington Stanley 2018–19[54] League One 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2019–20[56] League One 19 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 21 0
Total 30 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 32 0
CSKA Sofia 2020–21[3] First League 6 0 1 0 — 0 0 7 0
2021–22[3] First League 8 0 4 0 — 0 0 12 0
2022–23[3] First League 3 0 3 0 — 0 0 6 0
2023–24[3] First League 1 0 2 0 — 0 0 3 0
Total 18 0 10 0 — 0 0 28 0
Career total 92 0 11 0 4 0 3 0 110 0
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

CSKA Sofia

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 10 July 2014. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  2. ^ "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2017/2018". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dimitar Evtimov at Soccerway
  4. ^ Dimitar Evtimov at Soccerbase
  5. ^ "Chavdar Etropole vs. Kom-Minyor - 18 September 2010 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  6. ^ Varney, Alex (19 April 2011) Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign highly rated Bulgarian keeper. talkSPORT. Retrieved on 21 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Gainsborough Trinity sign Nottingham Forest keeper Evtimov". BBC Sport. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Football League Awards: LFE Apprentice of the Year prizes to honour young players". The Football League. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Nottingham Forest: Dimitar Evtimov loaned to Nuneaton". BBC Sport. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  10. ^ "1 - Dimitar Evtimov - Nuneaton Town First Team - Nuneaton Town FC". www.nuneatontownfc.com. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  11. ^ BBC Sport – Leeds United 0–2 Nottingham Forest. Bbc.co.uk (2 August 2013). Retrieved on 21 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Dimitar Evtimov signs new Forest deal". Nottingham Forest. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  13. ^ Currie, Mark (31 July 2014). "Wrexham FC: Dimitar Evtimov move off due to Welsh FA red tape over details of loan". Daily Post. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Wrexham loan deal for goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov collapses". BBC Sport. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  15. ^ "Evtimov joins on loan". Mansfield Town F.C. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  16. ^ Percival, Ryan; Butcher, Alex (22 December 2014). "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week". www.efl.com. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Goalkeeper Evtimov returns to Forest - News - Mansfield Town". mansfieldtown.net. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Evtimov extends contract". Nottingham Forest. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  19. ^ Nash, Mathew (31 October 2015). "Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman blames Dimitar Evtimov for Sheffield Wednesday defeat". Here Is The City. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  20. ^ "Evtimov heads for Portugal". Nottingham Forest F.C. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Olhanense sunk in Madeira". Portugal Resident. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Liga Portugal". www.ligaportugal.pt. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  23. ^ "Oficial: Olhanense anuncia saída do treinador" [Official: Olhanense announces coach's exit] (in Portuguese). MaisFutebol. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Loan Players Return". Nottingham Forest F.C. 13 January 2017.
  25. ^ Cooper, Barry (11 September 2017). "Dimitar Evtimov should seek a loan move to 'kick-start' his career". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  26. ^ Barry Cooper (9 August 2017). "A fit Mustapha Carayol can be real threat for Nottingham Forest this season". Nottingham Post.
  27. ^ "Port Vale: Nottingham Forest loan goalkeeper Dimi Evtimov to League Two side". BBC Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  28. ^ Pallatt, James (28 October 2017). "Dimitar Evtimov leaves Nottingham Forest in emergency loan move". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  29. ^ Baggaley, Michael (29 October 2017). "Sunday review as Port Vale's woeful defeat shows size of Neil Aspin's task". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  30. ^ Baggaley, Michael (28 October 2017). "Port Vale boss Neil Aspin reveals annoyance at goalkeeper situation". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  31. ^ Taylor, Paul (3 September 2018). "Dimi Evtimov departs Nottingham Forest as his contract is terminated by mutual consent". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  32. ^ Taylor, Paul (14 September 2018). "Brewers sign Evtimov on short-term deal". Burton Albion. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  33. ^ "Burton Albion 2-1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  34. ^ Mondal, Subhankar (16 September 2018). "Burton Albion's Dimitar Evtimov has message for Sunderland's Charlie Wyke". Here Is The City. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  35. ^ "Evtimov extends stay at Burton Albion for another month". burtonalbionfc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  36. ^ Murray, Josh (15 November 2018). "Evtimov signs another contract extension with Brewers". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  37. ^ "Dimi is a red". Accrington Stanley FC. 19 January 2019. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  38. ^ Sharpe, Rich (19 January 2019). "Stanley bring in 'keeper who could make his debut at Charlton". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  39. ^ "Charlton Athletic 1-0 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  40. ^ Robson, Dany (20 January 2019). "Dimi surprise at debut". Accrington Stanley. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  41. ^ "Dimitar Evtimov: Accrington boss calls for FA probe into bottle incident". BBC Sport. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  42. ^ "Accrington Stanley 0-3 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  43. ^ "Five released". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  44. ^ КЛУБОВЕ, ЦСКА-ОБЕДИНЕНИ СПОРТНИ (17 July 2020). "ЦСКА подписа с национален вратар ★ ЦСКА • ОБЕДИНЕНИ СПОРТНИ КЛУБОВЕ". cska.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  45. ^ a b "Arda vs. CSKA Sofia - 19 May 2021 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  46. ^ Murray, Josh (5 November 2018). "Evtimov could make Bulgaria debut after impressing for Brewers". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  47. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  48. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  49. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  50. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  51. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  52. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  53. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  54. ^ a b c "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  55. ^ "2011/12". ilsonfootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  56. ^ "Games played by Dimitar Evtimov in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
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