Nik Tzanev

Nik Tzanev

Tzanev lining up for Potters Bar Town in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Nikola Chivarov Tzanev [1]
Date of birth	(1996-12-23) 23 December 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth	Wellington, New Zealand
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) [2]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Northampton Town
Number	13
Youth career
	Hampton & Richmond Borough
	Crystal Palace
0000–2015	Brentford
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2016	Brentford	0	(0)
2015	→ Lewes (loan)	6	(0)
2017–2024	AFC Wimbledon	104	(0)
2019	→ Potters Bar Town (loan)	15	(0)
2019–2020	→ Sutton United (loan)	20	(0)
2024–	Northampton Town	6	(0)
International career‡
2015	New Zealand U20	3	(0)
2018–	New Zealand	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:52, 28 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:10, 14 October 2023 (UTC)

Nikola Chivarov Tzanev (born 23 December 1996) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League One club Northampton Town.

Tzanev is a product of the Brentford Academy and began his professional career with the club. He began his senior career with AFC Wimbledon in 2017 and by 2021, had established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. Following the loss of his first-choice status during the 2023–24 season, Tzanev transferred to Northampton Town. He is a New Zealand international.

Club career

Brentford

A goalkeeper, Tzanev moved from his native New Zealand to England in 2006. ^[3] He trained with a Chelsea development programme and Hampton & Richmond Borough, before joining the academy at Crystal Palace. ^[4] He moved to join the academy at Brentford and progressed through the ranks to sign a Youth Development contract in 2013, which enabled him to continue his education through to his A-levels. ^[5] He made 39 appearances for the youth team during the final three seasons of his youth career and won the club's Youth Team Player of the Year award for his performances during the 2014–15 season. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Tzanev signed a one-year Development Squad contract at the end of the 2014–15 season, ^[10] but made just eight appearances and played a month away on loan at Isthmian League Premier Division strugglers Lewes before his release at the end of the 2015–16 season. ^{[11] [12]}

AFC Wimbledon

2016–2018

During the course of the 2016–17 season, Tzanev trialled with EFL clubs Wycombe Wanderers and Hartlepool United. ^{[13] [14]} He joined the AFC Wimbledon Development Squad on trial in March 2017 and impressed enough to be awarded a contract until the end of the season on 28 April 2017. ^{[2] [15] [16]} He was called into the first team squad for the club's final match of the season versus Oldham Athletic and remained an unused substitute during the 0–0 draw. ^[17] Tzanev signed a new contract on 8 May 2017 and was an unused substitute on five occasions during the 2017–18 season. ^{[18] [17]}

2018–19

Tzanev signed a new contract in July 2018, ^[19] but received just one call into the first team squad during the first half of the 2018–19 season. ^[17] On 18 January 2019, Tzanev joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Potters Bar Town on a one-month loan, ^[20] which was subsequently extended until the end of the season. ^[21] He made 15 appearances during his spell. ^[22]

2019–20

Having signed a contract extension in February 2019, ^[21] injury to first-choice goalkeeper Nathan Trott allowed Tzanev to make his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2019–20 season, ^[23] in a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United. ^[24] Tzanev made three further appearances before spending the remainder of the season away on loan at National League club Sutton United, ^[24] whom he joined on 15 November 2019. ^{[25] [26]} He made 19 appearances before the season was ended early. ^{[17] [27]}

2020–21

Tzanev served as backup to goalkeepers Connal Trueman and then Sam Walker for much of the 2020–21 season and played predominantly in cup matches. ^{[17] [28] [29]} An injury suffered by Walker in March 2021 allowed Tzanev to break into the starting lineup for the first time in his career with the club and he finished the season with 19 appearances. ^{[28] [30]}

2022–2024

Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Tzanev was awarded squad number 1 and after starting each of the Dons' first eight matches of the campaign, ^[31] he signed a new three-year contract. ^[32] He made a career-high 53 appearances during a 2021–22 season which culminated in relegation to League Two. ^{[31] [33]} Tzanev made 41 appearances during the 2022–23 season, ^[34] in which the club narrowly avoided a second-successive relegation. ^[33] Tzanev spent the 2023–24 season behind loanee Alex Bass and made just 9 appearances, ^{[35] [36]} predominantly in cup competitions. ^[37] Tzanev was released when his contract expired and ended his AFC Wimbledon career on 126 appearances. ^{[38] [39]}

Northampton Town

On 3 July 2024, Tzanev signed a one-year contract with League One club Northampton Town on a free transfer. ^[40]

International career

Tzanev won his maiden call up to the New Zealand U20 squad for two friendlies versus Uzbekistan in April 2015 and made his debut in the second match, ^[41] playing the full 90 minutes. ^[42] He was called into the New Zealand squad for the 2015 U20 World Cup, held on home turf and he made two appearances as the All Whites reached the last-16. ^[43] He was subsequently called into the U23 squad for the 2015 Pacific Games, but failed to make an appearance. ^[44]

Tzanev received his maiden senior international call-up for a friendly match versus Canada on 25 March 2018 and was an unused substitute during the 1–0 defeat. ^{[17] [45]} He was named in a youthful squad for the 2018 Intercontinental Cup and made his full international debut with a start in a 1–0 victory over Chinese Taipei on 5 June 2018. ^{[46] [47]} Call-ups for pairs of friendlies in October 2021 and June 2023 respectively yielded no appearances. ^{[47] [48] [49]} More than five years after his first cap, Tzanev won his second with a start in a 1–1 friendly draw with DR Congo on 13 October 2023. ^[47]

Personal life

Tzanev was born in Wellington and moved to Auckland at age three, before moving to London in 2006 at age 9. ^[3] He attended Hinchley Wood School. ^[50] He holds dual nationality with Bulgaria. ^[51]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 December 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lewes (loan)	2015–16 [52]	Isthmian League Premier Division	6	0	―		―		―		6	0
AFC Wimbledon	2016–17 [53]	League One	0	0	―		―		―		0	0
	2017–18 [54]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2018–19 [55]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2019–20 [24]	League One	2	0	0	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	4	0
	2020–21 [28]	League One	15	0	1	0	0	0	3 [a]	0	19	0
	2021–22 [31]	League One	46	0	3	0	3	0	1 [a]	0	53	0
	2022–23 [34]	League Two	39	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	41	0
	2023–24 [37]	League Two	2	0	0	0	1	0	6 [a]	0	9	0
	Total		104	0	6	0	5	0	11	0	126	0
Potters Bar Town (loan)	2018–19 [22]	Isthmian League Premier Division	15	0	―		―		0	0	15	0
Sutton United (loan)	2019–20 [17]	National League	20	0	―		―		2 [b]	0	22	0
Northampton Town	2024–25 [56]	League One	6	0	1	0	1	0	4 [a]	0	12	0
Career total			151	0	7	0	6	0	17	0	181	0

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Appearances in FA Trophy

International

As of match played 13 October 2023 ^[47]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
New Zealand	2018	1	0
	2023	1	0
Total		2	0

Honours

Individual

• Brentford Youth Team Player of the Year: 2014–15 ^[9]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: AFC Wimbledon" (PDF). English Football League. p. 3. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
2. "Nikola Tzanev – Goalkeeper – First team". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
3. Gellard, Paul (9 May 2017). "Remember You're A Womble… An Interview With Nik Tzanev". oceaniafootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
4. "Donning The Gloves". Goalkeeper.com. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
5. Brett, Ciaran. "Brentford Youth Team goalkeeper Nik Tzanev reacts to being named Youth Team Player of the Year". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
6. Brett, Ciaran. "Youth Team Stats 2012/13". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
7. Brett, Ciaran. "2013/14 Youth Team Statistics". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
8. Brett, Ciaran. "2014/15 Youth Team player statistics". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
9. Brett, Ciaran. "Nik Tvanev wins Youth Team Players's Player of the Year Award for Brentford FC". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
10. Brett, Ciaran. "Nik Tzanev returns to Brentford after loan spell with Ryman Premier League side Lewes". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
11. "2015/16 Development Squad Stats". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
12. Brett, Ciaran. "Four young players will be leaving Brentford when their contracts expire at the end of the season" . Retrieved 20 July 2016.
13. "Wanderers hold QPR to 0–0 draw". Bucks Free Press. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
14. "Alex Bruton scores York City reserves' consolation in 2–1 defeat to Hartlepool as Derwin Martina makes debut". York Press. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
15. AFC Wimbledon TV (8 May 2017), Nik Tzanev delighted to join AFC Wimbledon, event occurs at 0:26, retrieved 10 May 2017
16. Slavin, Chris. "Young Dons bow out of cup" . Retrieved 17 March 2017.
17. Nik Tzanev at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
18. Slavin, Chris. "Nik signs for Wimbledon" . Retrieved 10 May 2017.
19. "Kiwi international Nik commits his future to AFC Wimbledon" . Retrieved 17 July 2018.
20. "Nik goes out on loan to Bostik Premier League club". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
21. "Striker signs new contract at AFC Wimbledon". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
22. "Potters Bar Town | Appearances | Nikola Tzanev | 2018–2019". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
23. Cawley, Richard (9 August 2019). "AFC Wimbledon keeper Nik Tzanev puts skiing plans on ice as he chases his dream" . Retrieved 25 August 2019.
24. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
25. "Nik goes on loan to National League neighbours". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
26. "Dons keeper extends loan spell after making his mark". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
27. "National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately". BBC Sport. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
28. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
29. "Dons keeper Tzanev: I'd have jumped into stand to celebrate my penalty save if supporters were at Plough Lane". South London News. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
30. "Tzanev stars before late rally just fails to earn all three points". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
31. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
32. "Safe hands for the future! Nik signs new deal". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
33. AFC Wimbledon at the Football Club History Database
34. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
35. "Johnnie Jackson savours way Wimbledon executed professional away job at Harrogate". South London News. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
36. ""Ro is back and raring to go!"". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
37. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
38. "Retained List 2023/24". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
39. Nik Tzanev at Soccerbase
40. "Nik Tzanev Joins Northampton Town". www.ntfc.co.uk. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
41. Wickham, Chris. "Brentford Youth Team goalkeeper Nik Tzanev gets New Zealand Under-20 call-up for Uzbekistan friendlies". brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
42. Wickham, Chris. "Brentford Youth Team goalkeeper Nik Tzanev plays for New Zealand Under-20 against Uzbekistan". brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
43. Brett, Ciaran. "New Zealand International Nik Tzanev reflects on Under-20 World Cup and ahead to Brentord season". brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
44. "Nik Tzanev's Olympic dream appears over". brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
45. "Nik's progress rewarded with international call-up". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
46. "All Whites squad named for Intercontinental Cup". nzfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
47. "Nik Tzanev". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
48. "Squad confirmed for games against Curaçao and Bahrain". nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
49. "All Whites squad announced for games this month against Sweden and Qatar". nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
50. "Hinchley Wood School Newsletter: Winter 2012" (PDF).
51. "Nik Tzanev". thefinalball.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
52. "Lewes | Appearances | Nik Tzanev | 2015–2016". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
53. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
54. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
55. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
56. "Games played by Nik Tzanev in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 July 2024.

External links

• Nik Tzanev at Soccerbase
• Nik Tzanev – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Nik Tzanev at ntfc.co.uk