Zahari Sirakov

Zahari Sirakov

With Amkar in 2011
Personal information
Date of birth	(1977-10-08) 8 October 1977
Place of birth	Smolyan, Bulgaria
Height
Position(s)	Right-back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1996	Levski Kyustendil	12	(0)
1997–2001	Levski Sofia	98	(8)
2001–2002	Spartak Pleven	27	(1)
2002	APOEL	5	(0)
2003	Lokomotiv Sofia	4	(0)
2003	Rodopa Smolyan	12	(0)
2004–2015	Amkar Perm	276	(7)
Total		434	(16)
International career
1997–1998	Bulgaria U-21	15	(0)
1998–2010	Bulgaria	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Zahari Sirakov (Bulgarian: Захари Сираков; born 8 October 1977 in Smolyan) is a former Bulgarian footballer.

Career

Sirakov started his career with Levski Kyustendil, but made a name for himself in Bulgaria while playing for Levski Sofia. On 24 September 1999, he scored a last-minute goal against Litex Lovech in a A Group match to bring the score to 1–1 in the heated derby encounter, prompting a brief pitch invasion by joyous Levski supporters. Sirakov was also notable for his sportsmanship, on one occasion shaking the hand of referee Atanas Uzunov after receiving a red card in a match against CSKA Sofia. He has remained popular with Bulgarian supporters even after starting his Russian adventures.

In February 2004, Sirakov signed with Russian club Amkar Perm. After more than 11 years with Amkar, Sirakov ended his career at the end of 2014–15 season.

International career

Sirakov made his debut for Bulgaria against Poland on 6 September 1998, but received his second cap in 2007 during UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. In August 2010, he earned a recall to the national side due to an injury suffered by Georgi Sarmov and on 11 August 2010, he came on as a substitute in the 0–1 away loss in a friendly match against Russia.

Honours

Club

PFC Levski Sofia

• Champion of Bulgaria -2000,2001
• Bulgarian Cup 1998, 2000

APOEL

• Cypriot Super Cup : 2002

External links

• Profile at Amkar (English)
• Zahari Sirakov at National-Football-Teams.com