Georgi Naydenov (footballer, born 1931)

In this Bulgarian name, the patronymic is Spirov and the family name is Naydenov.

Georgi Naydenov

Personal information
Full name	Georgi Spirov Naydenov
Date of birth	21 December 1931
Place of birth	Sofia, Bulgaria
Date of death	28 May 1970(1970-05-28) (aged 38)
Place of death	Damascus, Syria
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1949–1950	Cherveno Zname	10	(0)
1950–1954	Spartak Sofia	84	(0)
1955–1965	CSKA Sofia	176	(0)
1966–1967	Spartak Sofia	28	(0)
Total		298	(0)
International career
1955–1966	Bulgaria	51	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Olympic medal record
Men's Football
	1956 Melbourne	Team Competition

Georgi Spirov Naydenov (Bulgarian: Георги Спиров Найденов) (21 December 1931 – 28 May 1970) was Bulgarian football goalkeeper and manager. He is considered the greatest Bulgarian goalkeeper of all time. Between 1955 and 1965 he played in 176 matches for CSKA Sofia. He was honoured as Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 1961. Naydenov won the top Bulgarian league, the A PFG, 8 times (all with CSKA), as well as the Bulgarian Cup, 3 times (all with CSKA). He was respected for his incredible work ethic and his determination during training and matches alike.

International career

For the Bulgaria national football team Naydenov featured in 51 games and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He played for his country at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. Even after he had retired from competing he still remained one of the fittest players in Bulgaria and this made his death all the more mysterious. He died in Damascus, Syria and initial reports claimed he had suffered a heart attack although members of his family and people close to him suspected he had been poisoned.

Honours

Player

• CSKA Sofia
  • Bulgarian League: 8 times – 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962
  • Bulgarian Cup: 3 times – 1955, 1961, 1965