Villyan Bijev
Villyan Bijev (, born 3 January 1993) is a professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Central Valley Fuego FC in USL League One. Early life. Villyan Bijev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and moved with his family to the United States at the age of five in 1998. He grew up in Fresno, California and began his youth career with local school team. In 2008, at the age of 15, Bijev joined California Odyssey. Career. Liverpool. Bijev originally signed to play college soccer at the University of Washington in the fall of 2011, but in July  2011, Liverpool invited Bijev for a trial with the Under 18s. He left a great impression, netting five goals in two pre-season friendly games, earning himself a permanent switch to the Merseyside outfit in the process on a reported three-year deal with an additional two-year option. Liverpool officially announced the signing from US outfit California Odyssey on 31 August 2011. He was released from the club at the end of the 2013–14 season. Loan spells. The same day he signed for Liverpool, it was announced that Bijev had signed on loan for German side Fortuna Düsseldorf for  the 2011–12 season. Bijev played mostly for Fortuna B-squad, where he scored 4 goals in 16 games. He appeared once for the first team, playing the last 8 minutes of a 2–1 away loss against Hansa Rostock on 5 April 2012, in the place of Adam Matuszczyk. On 27 August 2012, Bijev joined Norwegian First Division side IK Start on a one-year loan, as this will help him gain the necessary work permits to play in England. Bijev made his debut for the club in a 2–1 win over Hødd. Though he made one appearance, the club would  be promoted to Tippeligaen. Slavia Sofia. After being released by Liverpool, Bijev joined Bulgarian A Football Group side Slavia Sofia. He made his league debut for the club in a 4–1 home win against Marek Dupnitsa on 19 July 2014. Bijev marked his debut with a goal, scoring the fourth. In December 2014, his contract with Slavia was terminated by mutual consent. Cherno More. On 12 January 2015, Bijev signed with Cherno More Varna on a one-and-a-half-year deal. He made his debut on 27 February, starting in a 2–0 home league win against Slavia Sofia. Bijev  scored his first official goal for Cherno More on 5 March, netting the fourth in a 5–0 success at Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa for the Bulgarian Cup. Return to the US. Bijev returned to the United States in 2016, playing for USL Championship sides Portland Timbers 2 and Sacramento Republic FC. In March 2021, Bijev joined Oklahoma City Energy FC. After OKC Energy announced a year-long hiatus, Bijev made a return to his hometown of Fresno by signing with USL League One expansion club Central Valley Fuego FC. International career. Born in Bulgaria but raised in the United States and  holding American citizenship, Bijev is eligible for both nations. He has represented the United States at the under-18 and under-20 level and Bulgaria at the under-21 level. He has yet to represent either at the senior level. Honors. Cherno More