Plamen Krachunov (Bulgarian: Пламен Крачунов; born 11 January 1989) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Arda Kardzhali.[1]

Plamen Krachunov
Personal information
Full name Plamen Nikolov Krachunov
Date of birth (1989-01-11) 11 January 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2+12 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
Arda
Number 6
Youth career
0000–2007 Maritsa Plovdiv
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Maritsa Plovdiv 81 (7)
2010–2011 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 16 (1)
2011–2013 CSKA Sofia 47 (3)
2013 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 11 (2)
2014–2015 CSKA Sofia 12 (1)
2015 Slavia Sofia 8 (0)
2016 St. Johnstone 2 (0)
2016–2017 Ethnikos Achna 28 (1)
2017–2018 Sandecja Nowy Sącz 26 (0)
2019 Stomil Olsztyn 11 (1)
2019 Zagłębie Sosnowiec 9 (1)
2020 Lokomotiv Sofia 2 (0)
2020–2021 Etar 25 (1)
2021–2022 Lokomotiv Sofia 29 (2)
2022– Arda 45 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 June 2024

Career

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Maritsa Plovdiv

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Krachunov started playing football with Maritsa Plovdiv. He made his first-team debut on 18 August 2007, at 18 years, in a 0–3 away defeat to Kaliakra Kavarna and quickly became a regular starter of the team, as a centre back. His first goal came on 11 May 2008, in a 3–1 home win over Minyor Radnevo. During his first two seasons, he earned 50 appearances in the East B PFG, but Maritsa were relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season. After one season, playing for Maritsa in third league, he joined Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv

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After a short trial, on 6 July 2010, Krachunov signed a three-year contract with Lokomotiv.[2] He made his A PFG debut in a 2–2 draw against Litex Lovech on 22 August, coming on as a substitute for Youness Bengelloun. Krachunov netted Lokomotiv's only goal in their Bulgarian Cup loss, a 2–1 defeat at Pirin Blagoevgrad on 6 April 2011. Four days later, he scored his first league goal for Lokomotiv, in a 1–1 draw against Montana.

CSKA Sofia

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On 15 August 2011, reports linked Krachunov with a move to CSKA Sofia, adding depth to the position one day after Apostol Popov was lost for the season because of a knee injury. The following day, he completed his move to CSKA, on a three-year contract.[3] He was handed the number 66 shirt.

He made his debut on 21 August, appearing as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Kaliakra Kavarna,[4] and made his first start for the club in the following game against Montana. On 26 September, he scored his first goal for CSKA, scoring a header in CSKA's 4–1 league win over Vidima-Rakovski from a Spas Delev corner-kick.[5] Krachunov then scored on 3 December in a Bulgarian Cup game against Spartak Pleven.[6] On 15 March 2014, Krachunov scored a last-minute goal in the 1:0 win over Levski Sofia in an A PFG match.[7] He joined Slavia Sofia in the summer of 2015, remaining with the "whites" until January 2016.[8]

St Johnstone

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On 22 February 2016, Krachunov signed a contract with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone, after a successful trial period with the club.[9]

Sandecja Nowy Sącz

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On 5 July 2017 he signed a contract with Sandecja Nowy Sącz.[10]

Etar Veliko Tarnovo

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After a short stint with Lokomotiv Sofia, Krachunov joined Etar in June 2020.[11]

International career

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In October 2011, Krachunov earned his first call-up to the Bulgaria national side for a friendly match against Ukraine and a Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales.[12]

Statistics

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All stats correct as of 22 February 2016.

Club Season Division League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Maritsa Plovdiv 2007–08 B Group 23 1 1 0 24 1
2008–09 27 0 2 0 29 0
2009–10 V Group 31 6 3 1 34 7
Total 81 7 6 1 0 0 87 8
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2010–11 A Group 14 1 2 1 16 2
2011–12 2 0 0 0 2 0
Total 16 1 2 1 0 0 18 2
CSKA Sofia 2011–12 A Group 26 2 2 1 28 3
2012–13 21 1 1 0 2 0 24 1
Total 47 3 3 1 2 0 52 4
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2013–14 A Group 11 2 1 0 12 2
Total 11 2 1 0 0 0 12 2
CSKA Sofia 2013–14 A Group 8 1 0 0 8 1
2014–15 4 0 0 0 2 0 6 0
Total 12 1 0 0 2 0 14 1
Slavia Sofia 2015–16 A Group 8 0 0 0 8 0
Total 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
St Johnstone 2015–16 Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 175 14 12 3 4 0 191 17

Personal life

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His brother Stefan Krachunov is also footballer.

References

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  1. ^ "Plamen Krachunov Facts". footballdatabase.eu.
  2. ^ "Локо Пд одобри Крачунов" (in Bulgarian). sport.plovdiv24.bg. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Пламен Крачунов подписа за три години с ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  4. ^ CSKA gets a win against Kaliakra – Krachunov debuts
  5. ^ CSKA wins 4-1 against Vidima – Krachunov scores
  6. ^ CSKA wins against amateurs, Krachunov scores with a head
  7. ^ "CSKA Sofia vs. Levski Sofia 1:0". flashscore.com. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Славия" повече няма да разчита на Пламен Крачунов" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Saints sign Bulgarian centre half for remainder of season". stjohnstonefc.co.uk. 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016.
  10. ^ "Płamen Kraczunow w Sandecji" (in Polish). 90minut. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Крачунов подписа с Етър, раздялата с Локо (Сф) е факт". topsport.bg. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Мишо Мадански вече зачеркна петима национали" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
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