Petar Zhekov
 Zhekov at the 1970 FIFA World Cup | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Petar Petrov Zhekov | ||
| Date of birth | 10 October 1944 | ||
| Place of birth | Knizhovnik, Bulgaria | ||
| Date of death | 18 February 2023 (aged 78) | ||
| Place of death | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1962–1963 | Dimitrovgrad | 25 | (8) |
| 1963–1968 | Beroe Stara Zagora | 141 | (101) |
| 1968–1975 | CSKA Sofia | 167 | (144) |
| Total | 333 | (253) | |
| International career | |||
| 1964–1973 | Bulgaria | 44 | (25) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1976–1977 | Hebar Pazardzhik | ||
| 2000 | Dobrudzha Dobrich | ||
Medal record | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Petar Petrov Zhekov (Bulgarian: Петър Петров Жеков, 10 October 1944 – 18 February 2023)[1] was a Bulgarian footballer, widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the history of the Bulgarian football. He won the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.[2]
Zhekov was born in Knizhovnik, Haskovo Province, and began his career at F.C. Dimitrovgrad. He was initially deployed as a defender, but on the advice of manager Hristo Hadzhiev switched to the forward position.[3] Later he moved to Beroe Stara Zagora, where he twice became Bulgaria's top goalscorer. Between 1968 and 1975 Zhekov played for CSKA Sofia and scored 144 goals for the team. This makes him the club's best goalscorer of all time.[4] He also won the European Golden Boot in 1969 and two European Bronze Boots. He had 333 appearances and a record of 253 goals in the Bulgarian A Group.He is CSKA's all-time top scorer with 175 goals
Zhekov later coached PFC Hebar Pazardzhik.[5] He died on 18 February 2023, at the age of 78.[6]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Europe | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Dimitrovgrad | 1962–63 | 25 | 8 | – | 25 | 8 | |
| Beroe | 1963–64 | 27 | 11 | – | 27 | 11 | |
| 1964–65 | 30 | 18 | – | 30 | 18 | ||
| 1965–66 | 26 | 20 | – | 26 | 20 | ||
| 1966–67 | 29 | 21 | – | 29 | 21 | ||
| 1967–68 | 29 | 31 | – | 29 | 31 | ||
| CSKA Sofia | 1968–69 | 29 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 36 |
| 1969–70 | 28 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 33 | |
| 1970–71 | 27 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 18 | |
| 1971–72 | 33 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 36 | 28 | |
| 1972–73 | 31 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 31 | |
| 1973–74 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 4 | |
| 1974–75 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | |
| Career total | 333 | 253 | 18 | 9 | 351 | 262 | |
Honours
CSKA Sofia
- Bulgarian League: 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75
- Bulgarian Cup: 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974
Individual
- European Golden Boot: 1969
- Bulgarian League top scorer (6): 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973
References
- ^ Почина легендарният голмайстор Петър Жеков, носител на "Златната обувка" (in Bulgarian)
- ^ "Petar Zhekov Biography and Statistics". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Savov, Mihail (25 October 2009). "Петър Жеков започва като защитник в Димитровград". topsport.bg. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ "Да продадеш "Златната обувка"" (in Bulgarian). temasport.com. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
- ^ Петър Жеков. hebarfc.com
- ^ "Почина легендарният голмайстор Петър Жеков, носител на "Златната обувка"". 24 chasa. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
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