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.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 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 | 41 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 5, 2024 | |||
Early life
editGazdov 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
editIn 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] On May 1, 2024, he was substitute into the 2024 Canadian Championship first round match against TSS FC Rovers just prior to the beginning of the penalty shootout, making two saves to help Pacific advance to the next round.[23] In 2024, he led the league with nine clean sheets.[24]At the end of the 2024 season, Gazdov was nominated for the Canadian Premier League's Best Canadian Under-21 Player and the Goalkeeper of the Year awards.[25][26] He ultimately won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.[27]
Personal
editCareer statistics
edit- As of October 5, 2024[30]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Pacific FC | 2022 | Canadian Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 23 | 0 | |||
| 2024 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 24 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | ||
References
edit- ^ 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) - ^ "Whitecaps FC Residency / REX announce player additions for 2017". Mountain United FC. September 20, 2017.
- ^ "Emil Gazdov Vancouver Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
- ^ Pereira, Sebastian (March 11, 2022). "Paving the saves: The binding tissues of Dahha, Hall forming unique goalkeeper pathway for 'Caps". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
- ^ Jacques, John (June 30, 2020). "Pacific FC Signs 17-Year-Old Goalkeeper Emil Gazdov". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (April 12, 2023). "Pacific FC extends Gazdov to cement faith in young goalkeeper". Times Colonist.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Pacific FC signs 17-year-old goalkeeper Emil Gazdov". Canadian Premier League. June 30, 2020.
- ^ "Pacific FC signs new goalkeeper Emil Gazdov". Pacific FC. June 30, 2020.
- ^ "EFS players shinning in Europe!". European Football School. February 5, 2021.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (October 7, 2020). "Pacific FC goalkeeper Gazdov loaned to German club". Times Colonist.
- ^ "Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov on loan to Germany". Pacific FC. October 7, 2020.
- ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (October 7, 2020). "Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov goes on loan to FC Nürnberg". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Jacques, John (February 8, 2022). "Emil Gazdov Returns To Pacific FC". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Emil Gazdov returns to Pacific FC from loan in Germany". Canadian Premier League. February 8, 2022.
- ^ Longo, Jack (February 8, 2022). "Gazdov Returning From Loan – Back to PFC for 2022!". Pacific FC.
- ^ Moreton, Bailey (July 31, 2022). "Diaz double carries Pacific FC to victory". Victoria News.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (December 14, 2022). "Gazdov looks to starter's role as goalkeeper Irving bolts Pacific FC for Vancouver FC". Times Colonist.
- ^ Tierney, Mitchell (October 19, 2023). "'Amazing, amazing progression': Young Pacific FC goalkeeper Emil Gazdov emerging as CPL playoff hero". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Longo, Jack (April 12, 2023). "PFC Shows Faith in Youth Development with Gazdov Extension, Signing of Three Young Canadians". Pacific FC.
- ^ Jacques, John (April 12, 2023). "Young Blood: Pacific Extends Gazdov Deal, Brings In More Youth". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 13, 2024). "Gazdov: Pacific Is The 'Perfect Place' For The Young Number One Goalkeeper". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Tierney, Mitchell (May 16, 2024). "Young Canadian goalkeepers Kalongo of Forge FC, Pacific's Gazdov proving to be among the CPL's best to start 2024". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Veth, Manuel (November 13, 2024). "Emil Gazdov linked with MLS clubs and Bochum - Pacific FC keeper was voted best in CPL". Transfermarkt.
- ^ "Emil Gazdov nominated for Canadian Premier League's Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award". Pacific FC. October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Emil Gazdov nominated for Canadian Premier League's 2024 Golden Glove Award". Pacific FC. October 28, 2024.
- ^ Tierney, Mitchell (November 7, 2024). "Pacific FC's Emil Gazdov wins 2024 CPL Golden Glove as top goalkeeper". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Jacques, John (July 1, 2020). "Gazdov Eager For Opportunity With Pacific FC". Northern Tribune.
- ^ 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) - ^ Emil Gazdov at Soccerway
External links
edit- Emil Gazdov at Soccerway