Ivelin Popov elected for Player of the Year

Ivelin Popov has won the Bulgaria footballer of the year Award.The 29-year-old international received the most votes in the 56th poll of sports journalists in the country. Popov have won the award for the second consecutive year. Svetoslav Dyakov who is currently captaining Bulgaria and "Ludogorets" finished second with just three points from the top. Dyakov`s team mate Vladislav Stoyanov finished on third place. Meanwhile Georgi Dermentziev was elected for coach of 2016.

The award ceremony took place in VIVACOM Art Hall in Sofia and Bulgarian Football Union, "Dax Media" and Bulgarian association of sports journalists were the organizers. 101 sports journalists from 50 different media took part in the vote.

A "Lion heart" award was given for the first time this year. The award it is the name of the legendary Bulgarian defender Trifon Ivanov, who passed away in 2016. The first to receive the newly established award were brothers Veselin and Yordan Minev and Ilko and Dimitar Pirgov.

Both fraternal pairs lost their fathers in the past year, but came out on the field to play for their respective teams despite their personal tragedy.

Various categories winners

Best goalkeeper

1.Vladislav Stoyanov ("Ludogorets")

2.Bojan Jorgacevic ("Levski")

3.Martin Lukov ("Dunav")

Best defender

1.Dimitar Pirgov ("Levski")

2.Nathanael ("Ludogorets")

3.Bozhidar Chorbadzhiyski (CSKA - Sofia)

Best midfielder

1.Marcelinho ("Ludogorets")

2.Svetoslav Dyakov ("Ludogorets")