Ivanov named Bulgaria's best footballer of 2013

Sofia, Dec 20 (IANS) Ivan Ivanov, a defender in Swiss club Basel, has won the 53rd “Best Bulgarian Football Player of The Year” award.

The 25-year-old Ivanov, who also plays for the country’s national team, was recognised by a poll of 147 journalists from 57 media Thursday, and was followed by Ivelin Popov from Russian club Kuban Krasnodar, reports Xinhua.

Svetoslav Dyakov from Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Razgrad, that recently managed to overcome the group stage of UEFA Europa League, came third.

Dyakov was also named best midfielder, while his team-mate Vladislav Stoyanov, who last week was selected by UEFA at the Team of the Europa League group stage, became the best goalkeeper in the Balkan country.