Members News: Our Bulgarian Int’l Former Sky Blue Is 34 Today.’Happy Birthday’ Vladimir!!

Vladimir Gadzhev in the Sky Blue

In our second Sky Blue birthday celebration of the day (following Jonathan Gould) we have to send CCFPA ‘Birthday greetings to a member recruited only very recently.  A ‘Very Happy Birthday’ message goes to former Sky Blues Bulgarian international midfielder Vladimir Gadzhev born today (18th July 1987) in Velingrad, Bulgaria. Vladimir is therefore celebrating his 34th birthday! 

Starting out  product of the Levski Sofia Academy, Vladimir joined top Greek side Panathinaikos as a 17 year old in the summer of 2004 without breaking into the first team but going out on loan to gain experience to Greek sides Levadiakos (2006-07) and OFI Crete (2007-08). His final loan, now as a Bulgarian U21 international was in his own country with Levski Sofia for whom he went on to sign fully in 2009 for an eight season stint and 212 games (28 goals). Between 2010-15 Vladimir also graduated to the Bulgarian full national side ending up with 29 caps (netting once).

Vlad in the Bulgarian shirt

Vladimir then sought game time in the UK  and came to Coventry (initially on trial) to link with Tony Mowbray‘s Sky Blues earning a contract from March 2016 to June 2017. He made his debut in a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers on 23rd April 2016 from the subs bench then startingfo his full debut came in the opening  match of the following season, a 1-0 League One defeat at Swindon Town on 6th August 2016.

Vladimir scored his first City goal three days later in a 3-2 EFL Cup win at the Ricoh  against Portsmouth on 9th August 2016 and was at Wembley (as an unused substitute) with CCFC when we won the 2017 EFL (Checkatrade) Trophy!

On his release at the close of the 2016-17 season Vladimir had clocked up 26 Sky Blue games (16 in the league), mostly as a starter, and scored a couple of goals.

Vlad in the Sky Blue and fair hair!

He then joined Cypriot club, Anorthosis (Famagusta) for 2017-18 and then returned home for games with PFC Beroe Stara Zagora (2018-19) and FC Hebar (2019-20).

Now at the veteran stage of his career we suspect  Vladimir has finally hung up his playing boots or has gone into coaching and management but await confirmation. ‘Happy Birthday’ Vlad!  We hope you can make it back over to England and Coventry to see us whenever travel restrictions are loosened sufficiently.