The volleyball market in the Italian SuperLega remains dynamic, even though teams are already conducting pre-season camps and awaiting the return of national team players after the World Championship. It is at this moment that Mint Vero Volley Monza is about to finalize a transfer that excites the Bulgarian public – the club is preparing to officially announce the acquisition of national player Martin Atanasov. This is according to Italian journalist Giuliano Bindoni from the volleynews.it website. At the same time, volleyweek.bg managed to confirm the veracity of this claim from two sources – people close to the national team and the Monza team. Thus, we can now definitively state that Atanasov is the new player ofVero Volley Monza.There is still no official confirmation from the club, but it is expected soon. The 28-year-old Atanasov became a Monza player at the last minute, as the club was forced to return to the transfer market due to the unexpected transfer of Canadian Brodie Hofer. On June 23, Monza presented Hofer as a new signing. "I am very happy to play in Monza next season. I can't wait to meet the fans and my new teammates," the volleyball player stated. However, on August 10, the Canadian was already presented as a new signing for the Turkish Halkbank, where Radostin Stoychev is the coach. Monza announced the termination of the player's contract by mutual agreement the next day and wished him success in his future career. Monza's outside hitters also include German Eric Röhrs, Finn Luka Marttila, as well as... Jasmin Velichkov.

Bulgarian tandem in Brianza

The news about Atanasov is particularly valuable because he will not be the only Bulgarian in the Monza squad. Jasmin Velichkov is already in the team, whose transfer was first reported by volleyweek.bg, which means that for the first time in the club's history, we will see a Bulgarian tandem in the SuperLega. This adds an extra charge to the upcoming season, and the interest of fans in Bulgaria in Monza's performances will certainly intensify.
Velichkov arrived in Monza today, will be accommodated on Sunday, and will start training on Monday.

Atanasov's experience and Velichkov's ambition

Atanasov turns 29 on September 27. At 200 cm, he is an outside hitter with rich experience at the highest level. Between 2020 and 2023, he played for Ziraat Bankkart, where he won three consecutive titles, two Turkish Super Cups, and the CEV Challenge Cup. After a successful period in Ankara, he moved to Lokomotiv Novosibirsk for the 2023/24 season, and last year he wore the Galatasaray jersey.

Alongside him will be the young and ambitious Jasmin Velichkov, who combines the energy of the new generation with already accumulated international experience, having recently finished 10th at the U21 Men's World Championship, and previously 6th at the U19 World Championship. For Monza, this is a unique chance to rely on two Bulgarian national players simultaneously – a combination that promises stability and additional attacking power.

Martin Atanasov's club career

Atanasov's career clearly shows progressive growth – from his home club Slavia, followed by his first professional contract with Dobrudzha 07, through Turkey, Germany, and France, to the triumphant years with Ziraat Bankkart. His experience in Russia and Turkey gives him a solid international profile, and the transfer to Monza marks an important moment – a return to one of the strongest leagues in the world, where he will play alongside a compatriot.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov