Former national middle blocker Nikolay Nikolov will play in the Bulgarian championship again. After nearly a year away from official matches, the 39-year-old volleyball player returns to his home country, this time with the CSKA team. The information was confirmed by sources from the "red" club and the NVL.
The experienced middle blocker last defended the colors of DEA (Burgas), after which he took a career break and went to his family in Russia, where his wife lives. Now, after a prolonged absence from the court, Nikolov returns at a crucial moment \u2013 just before the final round of the Bulgarian Cup, with which CSKA adds serious experience and stability to the center of the net.
Nikolov is a well-known name on both the Bulgarian and international scenes. His career includes stints in strong championships such as Italy, Russia, Iran, and Portugal, and in Bulgaria, he has played for CSKA, Neftochimik, and Hebar.
Nikolay Nikolov's Career Clubs by Season
| Season | Club | Country | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006/07 – 2008/09 | Neftochimic (Burgas) | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
| 2009/10 | CSKA (Sofia) | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
| 2010/11 – 2011/12 | Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia | Italy | Middle Blocker |
| 2012/13 – 2013/14 | Shahrdari Varamin | Iran | Middle Blocker |
| 2014/15 | Shahrdari Urmia | Iran | Middle Blocker |
| 2015/16 | Paykan (Tehran) | Iran | Middle Blocker |
| 2016/17 | Yenisei (Krasnoyarsk) | Russia | Middle Blocker |
| 2016/17 | Neftochimic (Burgas) | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
| 2017/18 | Belogorie (Belgorod) | Russia | Middle Blocker |
| 2018/19 | Sporting (Lisbon) | Portugal | Middle Blocker |
| 2019/20 – 2021/22 | Neftochimic (Burgas) | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
| 2022/23 | Hebar (Pazardzhik) | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
| 2023/24 – 2024/25 | Deya Volley | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
| 2025/26 | CSKA (Sofia) | Bulgaria | Middle Blocker |
The table clearly shows Nikolay Nikolov's long and diverse career. He has solid international experience in championships with different playing styles and tempos, which is a significant advantage for CSKA. His return to the 'red' club comes at an advanced sporting age, but it is precisely his experience, game reading, and stable block that could prove decisive in the direct elimination matches for the Bulgarian Cup.
photo: Nikolay Varadinov
