Berbatov named Bulgaria's best again

Manchester United FC striker Dimitar Berbatov has been voted Bulgarian player of the year for a record seventh time.

Berbatov topped the poll of journalists for the fourth consecutive year in addition to accolades in 2002, 2004 and 2005, finishing ahead of Gaziantepspor forward Ivelin Popov and FC Twente goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov. The 29-year-old is Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer, retiring from the national team in May with 48 goals from 78 appearances.

"I am delighted to have won this accolade for the seventh time," Berbatov said. "The great Hristo Stoichkov said before me that he would not have won the award five times without the help of his team-mates and coaches. It is totally true. A player becomes great only when he realises he has great team-mates. A player may have a future only if he respects the players who taught and advised him."

In the awards for the domestic A PFG, Algerian international Rais M'Bolhi was named best goalkeeper for his performances with PFC Slavia Sofia and PFC CSKA Sofia prior to last week's move to PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara in Russia. PFC Litex Lovech's Nikolai Bodurov was best defender, CSKA captain Todor Yanchev best midfielder and PFC Levski Sofia's Garra Dembélé best forward.