Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria ranks 58th among football exporters, CIES report shows

Kiril Despodov, a Bulgarian footballer, has been playing for the Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki since 2023.
Photo: BTA

Bulgaria ranks 58th globally in the export of football players currently playing abroad, according to a report by the Football Observatory (CIES), based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. At present, 123 Bulgarian footballers are playing outside the country, with the data covering the last six years — from 2020 to 2025.


There has been an upward trend for Bulgaria, with 18 more players abroad compared to the previous period. This increase is partly due to the recent transfers of many young Bulgarian talents, according to sports website Sportal.bg.


Brazil is the undisputed leader in this ranking, having sent 3,020 players abroad over the past six years.



Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted and translated by E. Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Stiliana Nikolova takes second position in the standings at the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Rio de Janeiro

After the performances with hoop and ball, Bulgaria's Stiliana Nikolova has taken the second position in the qualifications of the 41st World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Nikolova played very strongly and with an asset of..

published on 8/21/25 8:55 AM
AZ Alkmaar captain - Jordy Clasie

Levski FC to face AZ Alkmaar in Conference League playoff match in Sofia

Bulgarian football club Levski and Dutch AZ Alkmaar will play a match at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia tonight at 9:00 pm for the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League playoff. The match is expected to be attended by nearly..

published on 8/21/25 6:05 AM
Alexander Vasilev

Alexander Vasilev scores a sensational win against Ivan Gakhov at the ATP Challenger in Sofia

18-year-old Alexander Vasilev, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, eliminated the fourth-seeded Ivan Gakhov (Russia) in the qualifying rounds of the ATP Challenger 75 tournament in Sofia.  The match between the two lasted 95 minutes. Alexander..

published on 8/18/25 5:59 PM