1. Ivelin Popov signed his first professional contract with Litex Lovech in December 2005.
16 Facts About Ivelin Popov
1. 2.
On 18 September 2008, Ivelin Popov scored a goal in the first round of the UEFA Cup against Aston Villa.
3.
Ivelin Popov impressed the club, whereafter he received a contract offer, but the move collapsed over his work permit rejected by the British Government, having not played enough international matches.
4.
On 25 August 2012, Ivelin Popov joined Russian Premier League club Kuban Krasnodar on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
5.
Ivelin Popov finished the season with 9 goals as the club's top goalscorer together with Aras Ozbiliz.
6.
Ivelin Popov captained his team to its first away victory of the season over Russian Premier League newcomer, Tom Tomsk, by contributing with a pair of assists.
7.
Ivelin Popov was named man of the match for the second time in a row, earning him a spot in Russian premier league team of the week.
8.
Ivelin Popov finished his season in Russia having provided 12 assists; making him the joint top assists provider of the season, alongside Danny from Zenit St Petersburg.
9.
On 3 June 2015, it was announced that Ivelin Popov had signed a long-term contract with Spartak Moscow.
10.
On 15 August 2023, Ivelin Popov moved to Botev Plovdiv from Levski Sofia after terminating his contract, thus joining as a free agent.
11.
Ivelin Popov captained the national team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, providing his team with two goals, including a 25-yard free kick goal against Armenia, throughout a tough campaign, having to face strong national teams like those of Italy, the Czech Republic and Denmark.
12.
Ivelin Popov announced his retirement from international football in November 2019.
13.
Ivelin Popov's name became associated with scandal early in his career and became synonymous with irresponsibility and lack of discipline.
14.
In September 2010, just days before the Euro 2012 qualifier against England, Ivelin Popov led a group of teammates out of the training camp in Pravets and took them to Botevgrad so they could celebrate Valeri Bojinov's birthday, where the players consumed large amounts of alcohol.
15.
In September 2011, as Bulgaria was preparing to host England for the second leg of the Euro 2012 qualifier, Ivelin Popov again led a group of players to a bar, where they drank until 4 am, angering then coach Lothar Matthaus.
16.
Days later, it came to light that Ivelin Popov had abused and humiliated the national team masseuse on several occasions, forcing him to do pushups in front of the other players.