Dominik Yankov

Dominik Ivilin Yankov (; born 28 July 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bulgarian First League club Arda Kardzhali. Born in Canada, he represents Bulgaria on international level.

Yankov played in the Power FC Soccer Academy in Toronto until age 13, when he joined Sunderland's Academy. Three years later he moved to Bulgaria, joining Ludogorets, where he made his senior debut.

Career Ludogorets Razgrad Academy and second team Before joining Ludogorets, Yankov spent 5 years playing for Power FC, a private Canadian academy. After that he moved to Sunderland where he spent 3 years, but after his parents decided to return to Bulgaria, they chose the Ludogorets academy as the best place for him to continue his career.

Yankov made his debut in the UEFA Youth League for Ludogorets on 27 September 2017 in the first round of Domestic champions path against Željezničar Sarajevo.

On 27 May 2017, in the last league match of the season, Yankov was set on bench in the match against Spartak Pleven, but remained on bench the whole match. He completed his debut for the doubles on 13 August 2017 in a league match against Nesebar.

First team

In February 2018, Ludogorets manager Dimitar Dimitrov took Yankov in the first team. Yankov made an unofficial debut for the team in a winter break friendly against the Romanian club Botoșani. He completed his debut for the team on 12 May 2018 in a league match against Levski Sofia.

Loan to Botev Vratsa On 1 August 2019, Yankov was sent on loan to the fellow First League team Botev Vratsa until end of the year with an option to extend the loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for the team three days later in a league match against CSKA Sofia, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute. In his first match as a starter on 16 August against Slavia Sofia, Yankov scored his first goal for the team and also assisted another.

Return to Ludogorets After his successful spell in Botev, Ludogorets coach Pavel Vrba decided to include Yankov in the first team. He returned in play in the Supercup match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv on 2 August. On 19 August, he completed his debut in the Champions League match against FK Budućnost Podgorica. On 25 August, before the Champions League match against FC Midtjylland, he tested positive for COVID-19. He returned in play on 12 September 2020, scoring his debut league goal and helping his team to a win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv. On 24 September 2020, he signed a new long-term contract with the team.

CF Montréal On 29 January 2024, Yankov signed with MLS team CF Montréal for an undisclosed fee.

International career Yankov was born in Canada to Bulgarian parents, which makes him eligible for both Canada and Bulgaria national teams. He played for Canada U15, but later represented Bulgaria on U17, U19 and U21 levels although he received several invites for Canada's youth teams, including a call for the U23 for the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying. In October 2020 he was called for Bulgaria U21 team, but after an injury of Borislav Tsonev, Yankov received his first call up for the senior team of Bulgaria, declaring he will represent the nation on international level. He completed his debut on 8 October in the UEFA Euro 2020 Play-off match against Hungary, coming as a substitute in the 79th minute. In 202, he was called up for the U21 team of Bulgaria for the friendly tournament Antalya Cup, where he was named the team captain. Bulgarian team finished as a runner-up, losing the final game against North Macedonia U21. Yankov scored 2 goals and was named as the best midfielder.

Career statistics

Club

2016–17

2017–18

2018–19

2020–21

2022–23

47!!7!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!47!!7

2017–18

2018–19

2019–20

2020–21

2021–22

2022–23

2023–24

83!!11!!10!!2!!32!!1!!2!!1!!127!!15

2019–20

CF Montréal Major League Soccer 2024 21 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 23 2

International

Honours Club

Ludogorets First Professional Football League (6): 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020-21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023-24 Bulgarian Supercup (3): 2019, 2021, 2022 Bulgarian Cup: 2022–23

Individual Best Progressing Player in the Bulgarian First League: 2020