Western Sydney Wanderers have bolstered their Isuzu UTE A-League side with the signing of Bulgarian international Bozhidar Kraev.
Kraev moves to Western Sydney from Wellington Phoenix, where the attacking midfielder impressed following his arrival two years ago.
The 24-time international – a player mentored as a child by the legendary Hristo Stoichkov – scored 13 goals and supplied seven assists during his time in Wellington, where he played a key role in the Phoenix’s historic run to last season’s Semi-Finals.
Kraev was also selected as an A-Leagues All Stars Men representative and scored in the 8-0 rout of Premier League giants Newcastle United in May.
“What brings me here is my personal motivation to play in a very good club, which I believe that Western Sydney Wanderers is,” Kraev said.
“I received amazing interest from the club, which made me feel like I was wanted here, which is most important for a player.
“As a player, I think I can bring a lot of creativity and experience to the team. I am a team player who can help my teammates.”
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Kraev is Western Sydney’s first signing as the Wanderers gear up for 2024-25 with a new coach after former Perth Glory boss Alen Stajcic replaced Marko Rudan.
Daniel Margush, Sonny Kittel, Valentino Yuel, Doni Grdić, Nathanael Blair (Perth Glory), Dylan Pierias (Adelaide United), captain Marcelo, Adam Bugarija (Perth Glory) and Jorrit Hendrix have departed Wanderland.
“I hope I achieve a successful season individually and collectively, and bring Western Sydney Wanderers back to where I think they deserve to be – around the top teams in Australia,” Kraev added.
Kraev won a competition in Bulgaria to identify young footballing talent as a 10-year-old, judged by Stoichkov – the creative genius for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona and Bulgaria and twice runner-up for world player of the year and selected in FIFA’s 100 greatest players of all time.
He went on to leave Bulgaria for Spain to join Stoichkov’s own academy in Barcelona.
Kraev returned to Bulgaria and by 17 was playing and scoring in the first team at Bulgarian top-flight club Levski Sofia. By 19 he was introduced by The Guardian newspaper as part of its annual 40 best talents around the globe – trials at Manchester City and Juventus followed.
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After five years on the books of Danish side Midtjylland, Kraev was lured to the A-Leagues by Ufuk Talay’s Wellington in 2022.
He scored seven goals in his maiden season and then added a further six under Giancarlo Italiano as the Phoenix narrowly missed out on an historic Premiership in 2023-24.
“My period in Wellington at the Phoenix has been remarkable personally and professionally,” Kraev said.
“I would like to thank all the players, coaches and staff members that I worked with, and of course all the supporters.
“I wish all the best to Giancarlo Italiano and the team for the future.”
