Nik Tzanev

Nikola Chivarov Tzanev (born 23 December 1996) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Huddersfield Town and the New Zealand national team.

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 and subsequent departure, Tzanev played for Northampton Town, Newport County and Huddersfield Town.

Club career

Brentford A goalkeeper, Tzanev moved from his native New Zealand to England in 2006. 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. 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.

Tzanev signed a one-year Development Squad contract at the end of the 2014–15 season, 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.

AFC Wimbledon

2016–2018 During the course of the 2016–17 season, Tzanev trialled with EFL clubs Wycombe Wanderers and Hartlepool United. 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. 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. but received just one call into the first team squad during the first half of the 2018–19 season. which was subsequently extended until the end of the season. He made 15 appearances during his spell. in a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United. He made 19 appearances before the season was ended early.

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. 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.

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, He made a career-high 53 appearances during a 2021–22 season which culminated in relegation to League Two. Tzanev made 41 appearances during the 2022–23 season, predominantly in cup competitions.

Northampton Town On 3 July 2024, Tzanev signed a one-year contract with League One club Northampton Town on a free transfer. In competition with Lee Burge, Tzanev made 23 appearances during the 2024–25 season and was released when his contract expired.

Newport County On 17 June 2025, Tzanev joined League Two club Newport County on a free transfer and signed an undisclosed-length contract, effective 1 July 2025. He began the 2025–26 season as the club's starting goalkeeper and made 12 appearances,

Huddersfield Town On 2 February 2026, Tzanev joined League One club Huddersfield Town and on a free transfer and signed a contract running until the end of the 2025–26 season. Rarely included in the matchday squad, he started the final two matches of the season.

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, playing the full 90 minutes. 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. He was subsequently called into the U23 squad for the 2015 Pacific Games, but failed to make an appearance.

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. 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. Call-ups for pairs of friendlies in October 2021 and June 2023 respectively yielded no appearances. 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. He won further call-ups in 2025 for pairs of friendlies in October and November, but he remained an unused substitute in all matches. He is of Bulgarian descent. Tzanev attended Hinchley Wood School.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Individual Brentford Youth Team Player of the Year: 2014–15