# Petko Hristov

Petko Rosenov Hristov (Bulgarian: Петко Росенов Христов; born 1 March 1999) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie B club Spezia and the Bulgaria national team.

## Career
### Slavia Sofia

Hristov started his career in Levski Sofia, before relocating to Slavia Sofia in 2013. He made his senior debut for Slavia in a match of the Europa League against Polish club Zagłębie Lubin on 30 June 2016, coming on as a substitute for Georgi Yomov. A month later he made his Bulgarian First League debut in the opening game of the season against CSKA Sofia. He scored his first goal on 10 September in a 5–2 home win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv. On 1 October Petko was joined by his twin brother Andrea Hristov in the central defense for the very first time against Vereya in the starting line-up.
On 3 April 2017, Hristov signed his first professional contract with the club until 31 July 2020.

### Fiorentina

On 17 July 2017, Fiorentina confirmed they had signed Hristov on a five-year contract after Firenze Viola, Fiorentina owner, himself liked the player after seeing him in action at the European Under-19 Championship. On 20 August 2017, he was on the bench for the first time in the Serie A match against Inter Milan. He made his unofficial debut for the club against Real Madrid on 24 August coming on as a substitute in added time for the Trofeo Bernabeu game.

#### Ternana (loan)

On 16 August 2018, Hristov joined Serie C club Ternana on loan until 30 June 2019. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December 2018 in a league match against Rimini won by Ternana by 3:0.

#### Bisceglie (loan)

On 9 August 2019, Hristov joined Serie C club Bisceglie on loan until 30 June 2020.

#### Pro Vercelli (loan)

On 18 September 2020, Hristov joined Serie C club Pro Vercelli on loan until 30 June 2021.

### Spezia

After his good performance for Pro Vercelli in Serie C, on 5 July 2021 Hristov moved to Serie A team Spezia, signing a contract until 2025. He made his debut for the team on 13 August in a Coppa Italia match against Pordenone and compleated his Serie A debut on 23 August in a match against Cagliari.

#### Venezia (loan)

On 26 January 2023, Hristov was loaned to Venezia for the rest of the 2022–23 season.

## International career
### Youth levels

Hristov was called up for the Bulgaria U19 team for the 2017 European Under-19 Championship qualification from 22 to 27 March 2017. After a draw and 2 wins the team qualified for the knockout phase which was held in July 2017. Petkov played in all 3 matches from the group stage when Bulgaria were eliminated.
On 5 September 2017, he made his debut for the Bulgaria U21 in a match against Luxembourg U21.

### Senior team

He made his debut for the Bulgaria national football team on 31 March 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. His twin brother Andrea made his debut in the same game as well.

## Personal life

Petko Hristov has a twin brother, Andrea, who is also a professional footballer.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 1 May 2023.
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Slavia Sofia | First League | 2016–17 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Slavia Sofia | First League | 2017–18 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 |
| Slavia Sofia | Total | Total | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 1 |
| Fiorentina | Serie A | 2017–18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| Ternana (loan) | Serie C | 2018–19 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 14 | 1 |
| Bisceglie (loan) | Serie C | 2019–20 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 25 | 0 |
| Pro Vercelli (loan) | Serie C | 2020–21 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 3 | 0 | 36 | 2 |
| Spezia | Serie A | 2021–22 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 19 | 1 |
| Spezia | Serie A | 2022–23 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 11 | 0 |
| Spezia | Total | Total | 26 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Venezia (loan) | Serie B | 2022–23 | 9 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 132 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 145 | 5 |
* ↑ Relegation Play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in Coppa Italia Serie C
* ↑ Appearances in Serie B – Promotion play-offs

### International

    As of match played 20 June 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Bulgaria | 2021 | 9 | 0 |
| Bulgaria | 2022 | 8 | 0 |
| Bulgaria | 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 19 | 0 |

## Style of play

Hristov was described from the Italian media as a physically strong defender with great air abilities and being able to read the game which has led him to be compared to legendary Brazilian defender Thiago Silva.

## Awards
### Individual

* Bulgarian Youth Footballer of the Year (1): 2016