var playerInfo={"9CFA5380AB449F58B34CD68741B77812":"4","38882684D19FD665":"Rosen Kirilov","3D0C18FC6E83B9810B0FAD6BF04C7B64":"2022-6-1","722D75C33935B48A":"76kg","ED1B32E089DA5A802C3D6EB75016A1DA":"A rugged central defender, Rosen Kirilov is a commanding presence at the back and often uses his aerial prowess to good effect in the opposition's penalty area as well as his own.

National team

He made his Bulgaria debut against Uzbekistan in 1995, but it was not until after the 1998 FIFA World Cup that he established himself as a regular in the national team. Kirilov cemented his reputation as an uncompromising marker with two outstanding displays against England in the UEFA EURO 2000? qualifiers, keeping Alan Shearer quiet as Bulgaria secured two draws.

UEFA EURO 2004? qualifying

Kirilov was the mainstay of the Bulgaria defence during their passage to Portugal, playing all eight matches and helping ensure that they conceded just four goals on the way to topping Group 8.

Club

Born in Vidin, Kirilov started out at local side FC Bdin Vidin in 1988 before making the transition to the top flight with PFC CSKA Sofia in 1991.

1991: Kirilov helped CSKA win the league title in 1992 and the Bulgarian Cup in 1993 but started struggling to hold down a first-team place and was sent on loan to PFC Spartak Pleven in 1994. He dropped down a division two years later, signing for PFC Litex Lovech.

1996: The defender was a revelation at Litex and helped the club win promotion in his debut season before inspiring them to back-to-back first division titles in 1998 and 1999. His consistent displays earned him a transfer to Adanaspor AS, but after making 48 appearances in two seasons in Turkey, he returned to Litex in 2001 and was a Bulgarian Cup runner-up in 2003.

Did you know?

Kirilov played in the CSKA side which beat Juventus FC 3-2 in the UEFA Cup in 1994 only to have the result annulled for fielding an ineligible player.

","02EB7DF46653B329":"Rosen Kirilov","5588923A723573201F6804A11C3F390A":"999","5C3036D26CFC912788B0712D1AAE3BCF":"","1D8DD001D97C012A":"183cm","B6A0187759F85483D714EA91FD933428":"0","7CC3966A9B90B9412F1273E902F0953F":"CSKA 1948 Sofia,Etar Veliko Tarnovo,Vitosha Bistritsa","784E2315886D4158FF9CFFE843FE6B59":"","B6A0187759F85483BB8FCFF97E557B3EF40C5B869FAFCEA6":"1","781CC09C30E6A152":"1","F4645409D3EE42C9":"11106","0108B3B67855A673":"6483","805ACE40479B6E763FB50E182B20A495":"1973-1-4","4CC9C981935F4DF5":"POFC Botev Vratsa","FCD4DE51CBA4497A941CDE925DCB26D2":"Bulgaria","70545F9392E8422F11E2D5550E456F39":"CSKA 1948 Sofia","e_index":8};