Radostin Prodanov Kishishev (Bulgarian: Радостин Проданов Кишишев; born 30 July 1974) is a Bulgarian former professional footballer who works as director of youth/U19 coach of Chernomorets 1919.[1]

Radostin Kishishev
Kishishev playing for Leicester City in 2008
Personal information
Full name Radostin Prodanov Kishishev
Date of birth (1974-07-30) 30 July 1974 (age 50)
Place of birth Burgas, Bulgaria
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Right-back, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
Chernomorets 1919 (director of youth/U19 coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1994 Chernomorets Burgas 52 (4)
1994–1997 Naftex Burgas 75 (6)
1997–1998 Bursaspor 20 (3)
1998–2000 Litex Lovech 45 (4)
2000–2007 Charlton Athletic 179 (2)
2007Leeds United (loan) 10 (0)
2007–2008 Leicester City 7 (0)
2007–2008Leeds United (loan) 7 (0)
2008–2010 Litex Lovech 34 (1)
2010–2011 Brighton & Hove Albion 32 (0)
2011–2012 Chernomorets Burgas 19 (0)
Total 481 (20)
International career
1996–2009 Bulgaria 88 (1)
Managerial career
2012–2014 Chernomorets Burgas (director of football)
2014–2015 Vereya
2015 PFC Burgas
2015 Neftochimic Burgas
2018–2019 Chernomorets Burgas
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kishishev earned 88 caps for Bulgaria, representing them at Euro 96 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

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Kishishev, born in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, began his career with local sides Chernomorets Burgas and Neftochimic Burgas. He then played as a central midfielder in Turkish side Bursaspor between 1997–98 with another Bulgarian footballer, Kostadin Vidolov. He returned to Bulgaria with Litex Lovech, and won the Bulgarian league title with them in 1998 and 1999. During the 1997-98 A PFG season, he was found to have been ineligible for two of Litex's games - an away fixture against PFC Velbazhd Kyustendil and a home one vs. Levski Sofia - due to not being properly registered following his transfer from Bursaspor, but despite suffering 3-0 default losses, the team from Lovech won their first title.[2]

Charlton Athletic

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In the summer of 2000 Kishishev was purchased by newly promoted English Premier League side Charlton Athletic. Initially utilised as a right back, manager Alan Curbishley moved him into the midfield position where Kishishev would establish himself in the team. An almost constant presence throughout most of Charlton's seven-year spell in the Premier League, he had a reputation as a hard worker, a warrior and often topped the team on the distance he ran during games, as shown by the Pro Zone statistics system. Kishishev scored two goals during his time at Charlton, with both coming in the 2002/03 season. He netted in games against West Ham, which made him a local hero,[3] and Everton.[4]

Leeds United loan spell

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After Curbishley left The Valley in 2006, Kishishev's appearances in the first team began to wane. He made his last appearance for Charlton in January 2007, after which he was loaned out to struggling Championship side Leeds United.[5] Kishishev impressed many in his short time at Leeds, and got man of the match on his debut which was a 3–2 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday. His arrival at Elland Road coincided with Leeds' best run of results in the season, but it was too late to save the club from relegation to League One. Leeds wanted to sign Kishishev permanently in the summer but after they were placed into administration a transfer embargo was placed upon them meaning Kishishev had to look elsewhere.

Leicester City

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Out of contract, Kishishev joined Leicester City of the Championship in June 2007 on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[6] A succession of managerial changes, however, meant he was considered surplus to requirements at the Walkers Stadium. In all, he made seven league appearances for Leicester as they were relegated at the end of the season. Kishishev was retained by incoming manager Nigel Pearson for the first half of the 2008–09 season, acting as a translator for teammate and fellow countryman Aleksandar Tunchev, and inheriting the number 7 shirt worn by outgoing Iain Hume. On 19 December 2008, Kishishev's contract was cancelled by mutual consent having only played one game.[7]

Return to Leeds

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He was loaned out again to Leeds,[8] Kishishev got an injury very early in his loan, so missed several games, and when he played he struggled for fitness and did not impress like he did in his first loan spell. Manager Dennis Wise's departure in early 2008 ended his second spell at Elland Road with Leeds deciding not to renew his loan spell.

Litex Lovech

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Kishishev playing for Litex Lovech in 2009

After returning to the Bulgarian team from Lovech, Kishishev quickly established himself as a first choice defender at his former club and captained the team on a number of occasions. On 25 November 2009, he was sent off in the 2–2 away draw against Levski Sofia after an altercation with Brazilian midfielder Zé Soares.

Brighton & Hove Albion

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On 16 July 2010, it was announced that Kishishev had signed a one-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion.[9] Kishishev then made his Brighton debut in Brighton's opening day of the season 2–1 win over Swindon Town.

In May 2011 the club announced that he would be released at the end of the season following the ending of his current contract, along with five other players.[10]

Chernomorets Burgas

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In July 2011 Kishishev announced that he wanted to end his career in his hometown club Chernomorets Burgas. He decided to retire at the end of the season.[11] From 20 November 2012 until May 2014 he was director of football in Chernomorets Burgas.

International career

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Kishishev was part of the Bulgaria national team that qualified for Euro 96 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

On 5 September 2009, he scored his first international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, tying the scoring in the 4–1 home win.[12]

International goals

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Scores and results list Bulgaria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Kishishev goal.
International goal scored by Radostin Kishishev
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 September 2009 Sofia, Bulgaria   Montenegro 1-1 4–1 FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification

Managerial career

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Between October 2014 and March 2015, Kishishev managed Vereya.[13] In August 2023, he was appointed as operational manager at Botev Plovdiv.[14]

Honours

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Litex Lovech

Brighton & Hove Albion

References

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  1. ^ "Кишишев е новият спортен директор на Черноморец (Бургас) - БГ Футбол - Sportal.bg". football.sportal.bg. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Бронз, бой и балтия са на сметката на Велбъжд". topsport.bg. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  3. ^ "Charlton add to Hammers misery". BBC. 11 February 2003. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Charlton steal Rooney show". BBC. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  5. ^ Kishishev signs Leeds loan deal, BBC Sport 2 March 2007. Retrieved on 2 September 2007.
  6. ^ "Kishishev seals move to Leicester". BBC Sport. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  7. ^ "Kishishev leaves Foxes". LCFC.co.uk. 19 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  8. ^ "Kishishev back on loan at Leeds". BBC Sport. 23 October 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  9. ^ "Brighton and Hove Albion | News | Latest News | Latest News | Kishishev Agrees Deal". Archived from the original on 19 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  10. ^ "Poyet to release six of Brighton and Hove Albion squad". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  11. ^ "Кишишиев спира с футбола". 4 June 2012.
  12. ^ [1], Goal com 9 May 2009. Retrieved on 9 June 2009.
  13. ^ "Тинката вече не е треньор на ФК Верея, "на този отбор му трябва по-опитен треньор от мен". topsport.bg. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  14. ^ Kichukov, Simeon (22 August 2023). "След само шест мача "Ботев" (Пловдив) се раздели с треньора си" (in Bulgarian). dnevnik.bg. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  15. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 39, 104–105. ISBN 978-0-7553-6231-8.
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