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32 / Bulgaria · 1988–1996

Ilian Kiriakov

CB anchor
Caps · Bulgaria
53
Goals · Bulgaria
5
Life
1967
Clubs
FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo, F.C. Etar, Aberdeen
#32
Editorial rank of 33 for Bulgaria
–
The people's rank, live from duel votes

A solid and dependable defender, he brought resilience and tactical awareness to the Bulgarian backline throughout the 1990s, including their great 1994 World Cup adventure. Career record: 53 caps and 5 goals for Bulgaria; club career at FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo, F.C. Etar, Aberdeen.

Career sourcesCareer dates · checked 4 October 2026
Identity and career · Wikidata Q2419917
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Career record

1983–1991FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo
1984–1991F.C. Etar
1991–1993Deportivo de A Coruña
1993–1994CP Mérida
1993–1994Mérida UD
1994–1994PFC CSKA Sofia
1995–1996Anorthosis Famagusta
1995–1995F.C. Etar
1995–1995FC Etar 1924 Veliko Tarnovo
1996–2000Aberdeen
2000–2000Airdrieonians
2001–2001Raith Rovers
Bulgaria53 caps, 5 goals

Sources

Shared the era

Bulgaria legends whose careers overlapped Kiriakov's

The world's great CBs

Around Kiriakov in the almanac

One rank above: Petar Hubchev at #31.

One rank below: Zlatko Yankov at #33.

Bulgaria's editorial top five: Hristo Stoichkov · Dimitar Berbatov · Georgi Asparuhov · Hristo Bonev · Krasimir Balakov.

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