Zhivko Atanasov

Experienced head

Cherno More Varna · 35 yrsRotation

9.2

ratings updated 18 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameZhivko Stanislavov Atanasov

PositionCentre-back

NationalityBulgaria

Age35

Date of birth3 Feb 1991

BirthplaceDobroplodno

Height187 cm

Shirt number#3

ClubCherno More Varna

More about Z. Atanasov →

Centre-back

Season stats

Full career & schedule →

Appearances

Goals

Assists

1530

Minutes

Domestic-league season · Cherno More Varna.

Performance data · by competition

Competition	Apps	G	A	Min	Match
First League	32	0	0	1530	7.03
UEFA Europa Conference League	1	0	0	90	5.7

Career

Full career & schedule →

Coppa Italia Serie C×2Cup×2

Domestic career

Season	Club	Apps	G	Match	RTG	Season
2025/26	Cherno More Varna · 6th	32	0	7.03	9	32
2024/25	Cherno More Varna	33	2	6.85	—	—
2023/24	Cherno More Varna	33	4	7.19	—	—
2022/23	Cherno More Varna	31	1	—	—	—
2021/22	Cherno More Varna	29	1	—	—	—

Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year. 10 earlier seasons in the full career.

Bulgaria · international

Side	Apps	G
Bulgaria	20	0
Bulgaria U19	3	1

Career caps & goals — tournament breakdown in the full career.

Scout report

Experienced headCentral defender

Z. Atanasov is a 35-year-old central defender at Cherno More Varna, enjoying a standout season — 0 goals and 0 assists in 32 appearances, a Season grade of 32, top 5% of First League centre-backs. On long-term scout potential he's rated 9.2, ranking 194th of 207 in the First League. A seasoned veteran, he has been a rotation option (47.2% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.18 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Atanasov.

Judged on this season alone, Atanasov graded 32 — an excellent campaign that ranks top 6% of the 37 centre-backs in the First League, on 9 clean sheets and 3.176 defensive actions per 90.

We hold a single season for Atanasov, so there's no year-on-year comparison to draw yet — the read above is this campaign only.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 9, 34th of 37 of the 37 centre-backs in the First League. At 35 Atanasov is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 0.5 reflects that trajectory.

Current potential34th of 37 centre-backs · First League Current seasonTop 6% centre-backs · First League 2nd-best centre-back in the First League 194th in the First League · potential 34th-highest potential centre-back in the First League

9.2

Ratingi

34th of 37 centre-backs

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

47.2%

Minutes

rotation minutes

3.18

Def. actions / 90

moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Cherno More Varna finished 6th of 16 · a mid-table side

Apps

3.18

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

3.18 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 9 clean sheets across 32 appearances.

Watch points

Game time. Only 47.2% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Age curve. At 35, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 9.2, Atanasov carries the 34th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the First League of 37. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (3.18 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.6× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %47.2%

Available fixtures36 of 36

Goals / 900

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900

Defensive actions / 903.176

Player flow

Goal involvements0

Shot conversion %0

Shot accuracy %57.1

Pass accuracy %89

Dribble success %100

Cards / 900.294

Foul involvement / 901.118

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~2), then tapers with age. At 35, Atanasov sits on 0.5, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Atanasov's projected Rating — 9.2 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the First League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0

Shots on target4

Shots7

Passing

Assists0

Pass accuracy89%

Possession

Successful dribbles4

Dribble success100%

Fouls won8

Defending

Tackles2

Interceptions39

Blocks13

Fouls committed11

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards5

Red cards0

Transfer history

Cherno More VarnaJun 2021 – nowFree

Levski SofiaAug 2020 – Jun 2021Free

CatanzaroJan 2020 – Aug 2020

VViterbeseAug 2017 – Jan 2020

Juve StabiaFeb 2016 – Aug 2017Free

Slavia SofiaJul 2015 – Feb 2016Free

Cherno More VarnaJan 2012 – Jul 2015

SSeptemvri Simitliuntil Jan 2012

About Z. Atanasov

Zhivko Stanislavov Atanasov is a 35-year-old centre-back who plays for Cherno More Varna, born on February 3, 1991 in Dobroplodno, standing 187 cm tall. He is from Bulgaria. Cherno More Varna currently sit 6th of 16 in the First League.

This season

In the current season, Z. Atanasov has made 32 appearances with 0 goals and 0 assists across 1,530 minutes, averaging a 6.78 match rating over his last 6 rated games, with 5 yellow cards. His season has spanned the First League and the UEFA Europa Conference League.

When Z. Atanasov plays, Cherno More Varna's record this season is 1W-1D-4L — and his match ratings average 6.93 at home against 6.63 on the road.

Recent matches

May 3, 2026: 0-0 draw away at Arda Kardzhali (90 minutes, 7.6 rating)
April 15, 2026: 0-4 loss at home vs CSKA 1948 (90 minutes, 6.6 rating)
April 5, 2026: 1-3 loss at home vs Slavia Sofia (90 minutes, 6.5 rating)
March 21, 2026: 1-2 loss away at Levski Sofia (90 minutes, 6.6 rating)
March 15, 2026: 1-0 win at home vs Montana (90 minutes, 7.7 rating)
July 31, 2025: 0-4 loss away at Başakşehir (90 minutes, 5.7 rating)

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates Z. Atanasov at 9.2 with a Season form score of 32, ranking 194th of 207 centre-backs in the First League. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

His honours include 4 career titles — among them the Coppa Italia Serie C and the Cup. Full list in the career record.

Career

Across 15 recorded seasons, Z. Atanasov has totalled 383 club appearances with 21 goals and 0 assists for 7 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2023/24, with 33 appearances for Cherno More Varna.

Z. Atanasov's career has also included time at Levski Sofia, Catanzaro, VViterbese, Juve Stabia, Slavia Sofia and SSeptemvri Simitli.

On the international stage, Z. Atanasov has represented Bulgaria and Bulgaria U19 — 23 caps and 1 goal in our records.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.

Profile

Season stats

Performance data · by competition

Career

Scout report

Output in context · Cherno More Varna finished 6th of 16 · a mid-table side

Watch points