Vasil Georgiev Bozhikov (; born 2 June 1988) is a Bulgarian retired professional footballer who captained his latest club - Fortuna Liga club Slovan Bratislava and played for the Bulgarian national team. He usually played as a centre back.
Bozhikov began his senior career with Third League club Gigant Saedinenie, spending two and a half seasons before signed his first professional contract with First League club Minyor Pernik in February 2009. After three years with Minyor, he joined Litex Lovech in January 2012. Bozhikov made over 100 appearances for Litex and signed for Turkish Süper Lig club Kasñmpaà Âa in July 2015. After two seasons with Kasñmpaà Âa, he signed for Slovan Bratislava on a free transfer in July 2017.
In 2016, Bozhikov won his first cap for Bulgaria, having previously played for the under-21 team. Since his senior international debut, he has made over 20 appearances for the national team.
Bozhikov was born in Gotse Delchev. He began playing football with hometown club Pirin Gotse Delchev, where he spent one year. Then he played youth football with Botev Plovdiv and Botev 2002.
In 2006, Bozhikov joined Gigant Saedinenie, where he made his senior debut in the Third League. For two-and-a-half seasons he made over 80 appearances for Gigant.
In February 2009, Bozhikov signed professional contract with First League side Minyor Pernik after a successful trial period. He made his league debut on 16 March 2009 in a 0âÂÂ0 home draw against Litex Lovech. At the end of July 2011, Bozhikov spent a week on trial with Belgian side Genk, playing in a pre-season match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, but he did not sign for Genk. During his spell at Pernik, Bozhikov made a total of 70 league appearances for the club.
On 1 December 2011, it was announced that Litex Lovech had agreed a deal with Minyor to sign Bozhikov; Minyor announced that the contract would begin on 1 January 2012. Bozhikov was given the number 4 shirt and signed a three-year contract. He made his debut on 22 April 2012 in a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Ludogorets Razgrad, playing full 90 minutes.
Bozhikov became a regular in the team during a 2012âÂÂ13 season, making 26 league starts. In 2013âÂÂ14 season, he scored his first goal for Litex in a 2âÂÂ1 away win over Sozopol in the Bulgarian Cup on 6 November 2013.
In January 2015, Bozhikov signed a new contract with Litex, keeping him at the club until 2018. On 2 July 2015, he scored his first ever European goal in a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against FK Jelgava in the first qualifying round of 2015âÂÂ16 UEFA Europa League.
Bozhikov signed with Turkish side Kasñmpaà Âa on 15 July 2015 on a 2+1-year deal for a reported fee of â¬400,000. He made his debut for the club on 23 September against Tire 1922 in the Turkish Cup, playing full 90 minutes. He played his first Süper Lig game on 28 September, coming on as a first-half substitute for Kenneth Omeruo in a 1âÂÂ1 home draw against Rizespor. On 4 October, Bozhikov made his first league start in Kasñmpaà Âa's fixture away at Antalyaspor.
On 30 July 2017, Bozhikov signed for Slovak Super Liga club Slovan Bratislava on a three-year contract. He was given the number 29 shirt. He made his debut on 13 August, in a 1âÂÂ1 home draw against DAC Dunajská Streda. On 1 May 2018, Bozhikov scored his first goal for Slovan in a 3âÂÂ1 home win over Ruà ¾omberok in the Slovak Cup. He scored his first league goal against DAC at MOL Aréna on 12 May 2018, a goal which proved to be the winner.
Following the departure of Boris Sekuliàin June 2018, Bozhikov was made captain of Slovan. On 29 July 2018, he scored his first goal of the 2018âÂÂ19 season in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Podbrezová. On 9 August, he scored his second goal of the season in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Rapid Wien in the third qualifying round of 2018âÂÂ19 UEFA Europa League.
In February 2014, Bozhikov was named in the senior Bulgarian squad for the first time, ahead of a friendly against Belarus in March, but did not feature.
In March 2016, he was called up for friendly matches against Portugal and against Macedonia, and made his senior debut from the bench on 26 March, in a 1âÂÂ0 away win over Portugal, replacing Strahil Popov in the 88th minute. On 29 March, Bozhikov made his first Bulgaria start in a friendly against Macedonia at Philip II Arena.
Bozhikov scored his first goal for Bulgaria on 25 March 2019, when he headed from a corner kick in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Kosovo in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match.
Slovan Bratislava
Individual