Petar Zhekov

Petar Petrov Zhekov (, 10 October 1944 – 18 February 2023) was a Bulgarian footballer, widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the history of the Bulgarian football. He won the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Zhekov was born in Knizhovnik, Haskovo Province, and began his career at F.C. Dimitrovgrad. He was initially deployed as a defender, but on the advice of manager Hristo Hadzhiev switched to the forward position. Later he moved to Beroe Stara Zagora, where he twice became Bulgaria's top goalscorer. Between 1968 and 1975 Zhekov played for CSKA Sofia and scored 144 goals for the team. This makes him the club's best goalscorer of all time. He also won the European Golden Boot in 1969 and two European Bronze Boots. He had 333 appearances and a record of 253 goals in the Bulgarian A Group. He is CSKA's all-time top scorer with 175 goals

Zhekov later coached PFC Hebar Pazardzhik. He died on 18 February 2023, at the age of 78.

Career statistics

Honours CSKA Sofia Bulgarian League: 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75 Bulgarian Cup: 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974

Individual European Golden Boot: 1969 Bulgarian League top scorer (6): 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973