Petko Rosenov Hristov (; born 1 March 1999) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie B club Spezia Calcio and the Bulgaria national team.
Career
Slavia Sofia
Hristov started his career in Levski Sofia, before relocating to Slavia Sofia in 2013.
[ "Братята Де Бур" от Овча купел] He made his senior debut for Slavia in a match of the Europa League against Polish club Zagłębie Lubin on 30 June 2016, coming on as a substitute for
Georgi Yomov.
[ Slavia VS. Lubin 1 - 0] A month later he made his Bulgarian First League debut in the opening game of the season against CSKA Sofia.
[ CSKA VS. Slavia 2 - 0] He scored his first goal on 10 September in a 5–2 home win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv. On 1 October Petko was joined by his twin brother
Andrea Hristov in the central defense for the very first time against
FC Vereya in the starting line-up.
[ Slavia vs Vereya]
On 3 April 2017, Hristov signed his first professional contract with the club until 31 July 2020.[ Славия подписа с трима от героите на България]
Fiorentina
On 17 July 2017,
ACF Fiorentina confirmed they had signed Hristov on a five-year contract after Firenze Viola, Fiorentina owner, himself liked the player after seeing him in action at the European Under-19 Championship.
On 20 August 2017, he was on the bench for the first time in the
Serie A match against
Inter Milan.
[ Inter beats Fiorentina by 3:0] He made his unofficial debut for the club against
Real Madrid on 24 August coming on as a substitute in added time for the Trofeo Bernabeu game.
[ Cristiano Ronaldo goal, assist as Real Madrid win Trofeo Bernabeu game][ Real Madrid 2:1 Fiorentina]
Ternana (loan)
On 16 August 2018, Hristov joined
Serie C club
Ternana Calcio on loan until 30 June 2019.
He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December 2018 in a league match against Rimini won by Ternana by 3:0.
[ Fere, 3-0 al Liberati con il Rimini nel recupero della prima giornata]
Bisceglie (loan)
On 9 August 2019, Hristov joined
Serie C club Bisceglie on loan until 30 June 2020.
Pro Vercelli (loan)
On 18 September 2020, Hristov joined
Serie C club Pro Vercelli on loan until 30 June 2021.
Spezia
After his good performance for Pro Vercelli in
Serie C, on 5 July 2021 Hristov moved to
Serie A team
Spezia Calcio, signing a contract until 2025.
[ Ufficiale | Petko Hristov è un nuovo calciatore dello Spezia | Spezia Calcio - Sito ufficiale] He made his debut for the team on 13 August in a
Coppa Italia match against
Pordenone Calcio and compleated his
Serie A debut on 23 August in a match against
Cagliari Calcio.
[ Петко Христов със силен дебют в Серия А при равенство на Специя]
Venezia (loan)
On 26 January 2023, Hristov was loaned to Venezia for the rest of the 2022–23 season.
International career
Youth levels
Hristov was called up for the Bulgaria U19 team for the 2017 European Under-19 Championship qualification from 22 to 27 March 2017.
[ Съставът на България (U19) за Елитния кръг във Франция] After a draw and 2 wins the team qualified for the knockout phase which was held in July 2017.
[ Футболът ни възкръсна! 19-годишните лъвове "изядоха" всички, България с нов грандиозен успех] Petkov played in all 3 matches from the group stage when Bulgaria were eliminated.
On 5 September 2017, he made his debut for the Bulgaria U21 in a match against Luxembourg U21.[ Младежите падат от Люксембург]
Senior team
He made his debut for the Bulgaria national football team on 31 March 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. His twin brother Andrea made his debut in the same game as well.
Personal life
Petko Hristov has a twin brother,
Andrea Hristov, who is also a professional footballer.
Career statistics
Club
International
| + Appearances and goals by national team and year |
|
| Bulgaria | 0 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
|
Style of play
Hristov was described from the Italian media as a physically strong defender with great air abilities and being able to read the game which has led him to be compared to legendary Brazilian defender
Thiago Silva.
[ Dalla Bulgaria alla Viola per stregare Pioli: ecco Petko Hristov il nuovo Thiago Silva]
Awards
Individual
