Svetoslav Todorov (Bulgarian: Светослав
Тодоров) (born August 30, 1978 in Dobrich, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian
football player, who currently plays in England for Charlton Athletic.
Club career
PFC Dobrudzha/Litex Lovech
Todorov began his career at PFC Dobrudzha in his native city and then moved
on to Litex Lovech, where he showed he was an impressive striker, scoring 19
goals in 26 games. His skill earned him a call-up to the Bulgaria national
football team, for whom more assured performances attracted the attention of
foreign clubs.
West Ham United
In January 2001 English club West Ham United F.C. swooped to sign Todorov for
£500,000. The Bulgarian international made his West Ham debut in a 3-0 defeat at
Liverpool, and scored his first goal for the club in his third game; a 3-2 FA
Cup defeat at home to Tottenham. However, following manager Harry Redknapp's
departure from the club, Todorov found himself out of favour, and he played just
eight games under new manager Glenn Roeder in the 2001/02 season.
Portsmouth
In March 2002, Graham Rix signed Todorov at Portsmouth for £750,000 -
however, it was clearly a signing inspired by Redknapp's role as Director of
Football, and indeed he replaced Rix as manager soon after. At first Todorov
struggled to win over the Pompey fans, he was seen as the replacement for
popular top scorer Peter Crouch who was sold to Aston Villa for £5m. In his
first few games for the club he clearly was struggling with form and fitness and
was red carded in his second appearance away at Preston North End.
|
Personal information |
| Full name |
Svetoslav Todorov |
| Date of birth |
August 30, 1978 (1978-08-30)
(age 29) |
| Place of birth |
Dobrich, Bulgaria |
| Height |
1.83m |
| Playing position |
Striker |
|
Club information |
| Current club |
Charlton Athletic |
| Number |
10 |
|
Senior clubs1 |
| Years |
Club |
App (Gls)* |
1996-1997
1997-2001
2001-2002
2002-2007
2006-2007
2007- |
Dobrudzha Dobrich
Litex Lovech
West Ham United
Portsmouth
→ Wigan Athletic (loan)
Charlton Athletic |
12 0(2)
69 (35)
14 0(1)
77 (33)
05
0(0)
07
0(2) |
|
National team2 |
| 1998- |
Bulgaria |
42 0(6) |
1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 14:55, 25 October 2007 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 28 March, 2007.
* Appearances (Goals) |
It was in his first full season that Todorov showed why Redknapp had been so
keen to be reunited with him. He was the First Division's top scorer in 2002/03,
with Pompey winning the title. He notched 26 goals in all competitions,
overhauling Nottingham Forest's David Johnson with a hat-trick on the final day
of the season. During this season Todorov won over the Pompey crowd and became a
favourite of the Fratton End.
Days before the start of the club's debut Premiership season, Todorov
severely damaged a knee ligament which ruled him out for months. As with the
previous season, Todorov was expected to be one of Portsmouth's key players. His
injury was initially thought to take less than a season to recover from,
meaning he would return for the run-in of Pompey's season as well as Bulgaria's
Euro 2004 campaign. By mid-March 2004 he was deemed fit enough to be given a
place in the side in an away game at Liverpool. Todorov only lasted 45 minutes
before being replaced and it was later found that this appearance had only done
further damage to his knee. This caused him to miss not only the remainder of
the current season but also the entire 2004/05 season
His struggles with career threatening injuries over the previous two seasons
only increased his popularity with the Portsmouth supporters and he was given a
superb reception when making his comeback at the start of the 2005/06 season. By
this time Pompey were under the management of Alain Perrin who used Todorov
sparingly throughout the early parts of the season. When given a rare start in
the League Cup match against Football League underdogs Gillingham, Todorov
missed a penalty kick and Pompey went on to lose 3-2. The side's poor form led
to Harry Redknapp being installed as manager and, as expected, this led to
Todorov becoming a regular part of the first team squad again. In Redknapp's
first home game back in charge, Todorov scored the winning goal in a crucial
'six pointer' against West Bromwich Albion, his first goal in two-and-a-half
years and his first Premiership goal for Portsmouth. He went on to play in
important part in Pompey's escape from relegation that season, scoring crucial
goals against West Ham, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland. An injury to Lomana
LuaLua resulted in Todorov becoming a regular in the first XI in the final weeks
of the season.
After scoring twice in the opening three games of the 2006/07 season it came
as a surprise to many Portsmouth fans when Todorov was loaned to Wigan Athletic
on August 31st 2006. However this loan move was unsuccessful with Todorov
returning to Portsmouth in January having failed to score a single goal.[1]
After again failing to break into the first team at Portsmouth, Todorov decided
to turn down an offer of a new contract from the club.
Charlton Athletic
Instead, he opted to sign for recently relegated Charlton Athletic on July
4th, 2007 in a one year deal.[2]
Todorov's first league goal for Charlton was notable as it came against London
rivals Crystal Palace.[3] However,
after suffering a knee injury in a match against Plymouth in October 2007,
Todorov was ruled out of the remainder of the 2007-08 season.[4]
