Strahil Popov (; born 31 August 1990) is a Bulgarian former professional footballer who played as a right-back.
Popov began his professional career at Litex Lovech in 2008. After loan spells at Lokomotiv Mezdra and Montana he became a regular in their team, playing 159 total games and scoring 6 goals for Litex. He signed for Kasımpaşa in January 2016.
Popov earned 35 caps for Bulgaria between 2014 and 2021.
Club career Born in Blagoevgrad, Popov began his career playing for Pirin Blagoevgrad before departing for Pirin 2001.
Litex Lovech In 2008, Popov joined Litex Lovech.
Lokomotiv Mezdra (loan) On 9 July 2009, Popov joined Lokomotiv Mezdra on loan until December 2009. He made his team début on 10 July, scoring goal in a 2–1 friendly loss against Sivasspor.
Montana (loan) On 18 January 2010, Popov was loaned out to Montana for the rest of the season. He made his competitive debut on 20 March in a 0–0 home league draw against Litex, coming on as a second-half substitute, and participated in only one more game to the end of the season.
Return to Litex Popov returned to Litex at the end of the 2009–10 season. He played only three league games during a following campaign and became a regular first team player in the 2011–12 season. On 21 March 2012, Popov was sent off for the first time in his professional career in a 1–1 away draw against Beroe Stara Zagora.
On 21 July 2013, Popov scored his first goal for Litex, with a header, netting the third in a 4–1 home win over Neftochimic Burgas. He then scored the winning goal in Litex's 2–1 away win against Slavia Sofia on 7 December.
On 3 August 2014, Popov was announced as Litex's new club captain. Six days later, he added his third goal for Litex against Botev Plovdiv in a 3–3 away draw.
Kasımpaşa On 5 January 2016, he moved to the Turkish Süper Lig team Kasımpaşa for a reported fee of €750,000. He was given the number 90 jersey.Капитанът на Литекс подписа с турски отбор
On 27 October 2017, he scored his first league goal in a match against Göztepe.Страхил Попов с важен гол за Касъмпаша
International career After first being called up for a friendly match against Belarus in March 2014, but remaining an unused substitute, Popov made his debut for the national side on 23 May 2014, in the 1–1 draw with Canada. He played as a starter on 10 October 2015, in the 0–3 loss against Croatia in a Euro 2016 qualifier, remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
On 13 October 2018, he provided two decisive assists in a 2–1 home win against Cyprus, in a match for the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League. He became second top assistant with four assists in all over group in the competition.Страхил Попов изпревари едни от най-големите европейски звезди в Лигата на нациите
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLitex Lovech2008–09A Group300000–302010–11300000–302011–121802000102102012–1327030––3002013–1437230––4022014–153134040–3932015–161912020–231Total138614060101596Lokomotiv Mezdra (loan)2009–10A Group14000––140Montana (loan)2009–10A Group2000––20Kasımpaşa 2015–16Süper Lig13000––1302016–1733071––4012017–1832100––3212018–1933030––3602019–2014000––140Total125110100001352Career total280725160103128
International
TeamYearTournamentFriendlyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBulgaria20140010102015100010201640408020176000602018402060Total15070220Career total21080290
References
External links