Ivan Bandalovski

Ivan Georgiev Bandalovski (Bulgarian: Иван Бандаловски; born 23 November 1986) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Tsarsko Selo Sofia.

Club Career

Early career

Bandalovski started playing football in the youth team of Levski Sofia at the age of six. He was not offered a professional contract with the club and in the summer of 2004, at the age of 17, signed with Litex Lovech. He earned his first professional cap against Lokomotiv Plovdiv for Bulgarian Supercup in Burgas on 31 July 2004 at the age of 17. In Lovech Bandalovski played several championship matches and was noticed by Feyenoord Rotterdam. In January 2005 the player went on loan to the Dutch team for 18 months. In June 2006 he returned to Litex.

Lokomotiv Sofia

In January 2008 Bandalovski signed Lokomotiv Sofia. Performing as a solid back, it didn't last long until he gained head coach Dragan Okuka's trust and became a starter. Sometimes credited as having a bad temper, he maintained the status of one of the most trustworthy defenders in the league, and soon was called up to the Bulgarian national football team.

CSKA Sofia

In the fall of 2010 he signed with CSKA Sofia. He made his competitive debut for CSKA Sofia on 13 November 2010, in a 1–0 home league win against Lokomotiv Plovdiv. He has won a Bulgarian Cup and Bulgarian Supercup in 2011. In 2012, he won the prize best defender in Bulgarian A Football Group. On 4 March 2012, Bandalovski has first time played for CSKA Sofia as captain in the match against Chernomorets Burgas. He was followed by some clubs in Europe like A.S. Roma, S.S. Lazio, FC Steaua București. On 22 March 2012, Bandalovski has scored his first goal for CSKA, against his former club, Lokomotiv Sofia in 1–0 home win.

In 2012, he became the captain of the team. Due to its financial difficulties the club wasn't able to offer him a new contract, instead it had to release him as a free agent.

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