Bulgarian midfielder Georgi Milanov joins MOL Vidi FC

The Bulgarian international has strengthened the Vidi squad after joining from CSKA Moscow.

Georgi Milanov was born in Pleven on the 19th February 1992. He started playing football for Litex Lovecs from the age of 13. He received his first professional contract at 17. Milanov made over 100 Bulgarian league appearances from 2009 until 2013. Vidi’s latest signing moved up to the first team squad in the summer of 2009.

He helped his side to the Bulgarian league title and Super Cup in 2010 and was celebrating the league title a year later. He was voted best player in Bulgaria in 2012 so it was no surprise when he joined CSKA Moscow a year later. He was part of the team that won the Russian super cup in 2013 and 2014. He also helped the Moscow side to the 2014 league title. He spent a short period on loan with Swiss side Grasshoppers in 2016, before returning to Russia and CSKA. His contract ended with them in the summer and he became a free player and has now joined Vidi.

Georgi Milanov has played 40 times for his country.

His debut came at the age of 19 in a game in October 2011 against Ukraine. His second match for Bulgaria was a 1-1 draw away against Hungary in Győr in 2012. He has scored 2 goals for his country and one of those was the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Italy. The other was against Belarus in 2014.

“Georgi Milanov became a CSKA Moscow player at a very young age and played Champions league group stage football for them. He was a key player for them but his contract expired over the summer. We have been in long term contact with him and there have been lengthy negotiations. He had other options to continue his playing career, so I am delighted that he has decided on joining Vidi. He has serious European experience and has played 40 times for his country. He can also play in several positions but is mainly an attacking midfielder. The manager has already said that further transfers looked likely so I am pleased that this contract has been signed. The arrival of Georgi gives more possibilities for the team and the formation” – commented director of football Zoltán Kovács.

“I am pleased that I can be here. It was an important factor when signing the contract that Vidi would be playing group stage football in the Europa League. I have played in group stage football over recent years. I have been in contact with the club for a while now and have spoken several times with the director of football and team manager. I like the way the team plays its football. I have other offers and I have been watching several teams play over recent weeks. I can say that I have got used to the way Vidi plays during this time. This was especially the case for the CL qualifier with Ludogorets, which I followed in detail. I feel that we have a chance of going through the group stage. Chelsea will be the favourites but we can make the second place. Naturally the league is also important. I have been here 3 days and I watched the game with Ferencváros. I enjoyed it and the game was high standard. I want to help Vidi to the league and cup and also do well in the Europa League” – commented Georgi Milanov.