Ventspils sign Bulgarian defender

Latvian first division club FK Ventspils have completed the signing of defender Gospodin Mirchev from Bulgarian club PFC Beroe, coach Andrejs Lapsa has confirmed. 
 
Title hat-trick
The 28-year-old wing-back, who narrowly missed out on the Bulgarian squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, has signed a two-year deal. Mirchev won three Bulgarian Professional League titles with PFC Levski Sofia. 
 
Coach admires Mirchev
Ventspils assistant coach Saulus Cekanavicius revealed that the club's English manager Paul Ashworth admires Mirchev's good positioning and heading skills, and believes his signing could help the team challenge FC Skonto for the title in the 2002 season, which is due to start in April.
 
Title heartbreak
Ashworth's side finished only one point behind Skonto in 2001, his first year in charge - conceding the title on the last day of the season.