Ivan Zafirov

Ivan Georgiev Zafirov was a Bulgarian footballer who played as a defender.

Biography

After short spells at Sliven, it was with CSKA Sofia that he found his spiritual home in the 1970s. Zafirov, a right-back, played 340 times for the Reds, scoring 8 goals. Nine Bulgarian championships and five Bulgarian Cups tell the tale of how successful Zafirov was.
Zafirov was on Bulgaria's roster for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He represented the Lions 50 times, scoring once. He also won a silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Zafirov died on 15 October 2025, at the age of 77.