Berbatov voted Bulgaria's No1
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Article summary
Tottenham Hotspur FC forward and national team captain Dimitar Berbatov, 26, has been named Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year for the fourth time.
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Dimitar Berbatov has been named Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year for 2007, winning the award for the fourth time.
Top three
The Bulgaria captain and Tottenham Hotspur FC forward took first prize ahead of Manchester City FC winger Martin Petrov and PFC Levski Sofia goalkeeper Georgi Petkov. Similarly honoured in 2002, 2004 and 2005, Berbatov claimed 327 votes in a poll of local journalists, compared with 246 for Petrov and Petkov's 47.
Star performer
The 26-year-old helped English club Tottenham to fifth place in last season's Premier League, as well as to the latter stages of three cup competitions, with his goals and all-round play. He could not, however, inspire Bulgaria to UEFA EURO 2008™ qualification. Berbatov can now target Hristo Stoichkov's record of five Player of the Year gongs.
Other awards
Individual accolades went to striker Zdravko Lazarov, lately of PFC Slavia Sofia and now with FC Shinnik Yaroslavl in Russia (Best Forward); to PFC Lokomotiv Sofia's Martcho Davtchev (Best Midfielder); and to Levski's Georgi Petkov (Best Goalkeeper). Levski attacker Nikolay Dimitrov, 20, was named Young Player of the Year.