Emil Gazdov
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-09-11) September 11, 2003
Place of birth North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Pacific FC
Number 1
Youth career
North Vancouver FC
Mountain United FC
2017–2020 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2020–2022 Pacific FC
2020–2022 → 1. FC Nürnberg (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Pacific FC 20 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2023

Emil Gazdov (Bulgarian: Емил Газдов; born September 11, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Early life

Gazdov began playing youth soccer with North Vancouver FC, before later joining Mountain United FC.[1] In August 2017, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Academy,[2][3] where he played for three years before leaving to sign a professional contract.[4][5] He later spent time with the U19 side of German club 1. FC Nürnberg, after being loaned following signing his first professional contract with Pacific FC.[6]

Club career

In March 2020, he began training with Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC.[7][8] On June 30, 2020, Gazdov signed his first professional contract with Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League.[9][10] After not appearing in any matchday squads in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season as the third-choice goalkeeper,[11] Gazdov was sent on a two-year loan in October to the U19 side of German club 1. FC Nürnberg.[12][13] He returned to Pacific FC in 2022 to serve as the backup goalkeeper.[14][15][16] He made his professional debut on July 30, 2022 in a 2-1 victory over Valour FC.[17] Following the departure of Callum Irving following the 2022 season, Gazdov became the team's first choice goalkeeper ahead of the 2023 season.[18][19] In April 2023, he signed an additional two-year extension with the club, with a club option for 2026.[20][21] After beginning the season as the starting keeper, midway through the season, he became the backup, before soon regaining his spot as the starter.[22]

Personal

Gazdov is of Bulgarian descent.[23][24]

Career statistics

As of October 21, 2023[25]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Continental Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pacific FC 2022 Canadian Premier League 2000000020
2023 1803020–230
Career total 200302000250

References

  1. ↑ Койчев, Илиян (Koychev, Iliyan) (January 29, 2023). "Канадски талант с български произход: Искам да играя за България, напомням на всички за Златната топка на Стоичков" [Canadian talent with Bulgarian origin: I want to play for Bulgaria, I remind everyone about Stoichkov's Ballon d'Or]. Gong.bg (in Bulgarian).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Whitecaps FC Residency / REX announce player additions for 2017". Mountain United FC. September 20, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Emil Gazdov Vancouver Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  4. ↑ Pereira, Sebastian (March 11, 2022). "Paving the saves: The binding tissues of Dahha, Hall forming unique goalkeeper pathway for 'Caps". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  5. ↑ Jacques, John (June 30, 2020). "Pacific FC Signs 17-Year-Old Goalkeeper Emil Gazdov". Northern Tribune.
  6. ↑ Dheensaw, Cleve (April 12, 2023). "Pacific FC extends Gazdov to cement faith in young goalkeeper". Times Colonist.
  7. ↑ Thompson, Marty (July 10, 2020). "Pacific FC's Emil Gazdov as CPL's lone third 'keeper: 'My goal is to get games'". Canadian Premier League.
  8. ↑ "Pacific FC signs 17-year-old goalkeeper Emil Gazdov". Canadian Premier League. June 30, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Pacific FC signs new goalkeeper Emil Gazdov". Pacific FC. June 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ "EFS players shinning in Europe!". European Football School. February 5, 2021.
  11. ↑ Dheensaw, Cleve (October 7, 2020). "Pacific FC goalkeeper Gazdov loaned to German club". Times Colonist.
  12. ↑ "Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov on loan to Germany". Pacific FC. October 7, 2020.
  13. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (October 7, 2020). "Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov goes on loan to FC Nürnberg". Canadian Premier League.
  14. ↑ Jacques, John (February 8, 2022). "Emil Gazdov Returns To Pacific FC". Northern Tribune.
  15. ↑ "Emil Gazdov returns to Pacific FC from loan in Germany". Canadian Premier League. February 8, 2022.
  16. ↑ Longo, Jack (February 8, 2022). "Gazdov Returning From Loan – Back to PFC for 2022!". Pacific FC.
  17. ↑ Moreton, Bailey (July 31, 2022). "Diaz double carries Pacific FC to victory". Victoria News.
  18. ↑ Dheensaw, Cleve (December 14, 2022). "Gazdov looks to starter's role as goalkeeper Irving bolts Pacific FC for Vancouver FC". Times Colonist.
  19. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (October 19, 2023). "'Amazing, amazing progression': Young Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov emerging as CPL playoff hero". Canadian Premier League.
  20. ↑ Longo, Jack (April 12, 2023). "PFC Shows Faith in Youth Development with Gazdov Extension, Signing of Three Young Canadians". Pacific FC.
  21. ↑ Jacques, John (April 12, 2023). "Young Blood: Pacific Extends Gazdov Deal, Brings In More Youth". Northern Tribune.
  22. ↑ Jacques, John (January 13, 2024). "Gazdov: Pacific Is The 'Perfect Place' For The Young Number One Goalkeeper". Northern Tribune.
  23. ↑ Jacques, John (July 1, 2020). "Gazdov Eager For Opportunity With Pacific FC". Northern Tribune.
  24. ↑ Койчев, Илиян (Koychev, Iliyan) (December 29, 2023). "Млад български вратар: Искам да съм номер 1 в Канада, научих много през изминалия сезон" [Young Bulgarian goalkeeper: I want to be number 1 in Canada, I learned a lot this past season]. Gong.bg (in Bulgarian).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ↑ Emil Gazdov at Soccerway
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