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Bulgaria ranks 58th among football exporters, CIES report shows

Kiril Despodov, a Bulgarian footballer, has been playing for the Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki since 2023.
Photo: BTA

Bulgaria ranks 58th globally in the export of football players currently playing abroad, according to a report by the Football Observatory (CIES), based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. At present, 123 Bulgarian footballers are playing outside the country, with the data covering the last six years — from 2020 to 2025.


There has been an upward trend for Bulgaria, with 18 more players abroad compared to the previous period. This increase is partly due to the recent transfers of many young Bulgarian talents, according to sports website Sportal.bg.


Brazil is the undisputed leader in this ranking, having sent 3,020 players abroad over the past six years.



Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted and translated by E. Radkova



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