Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov is a Bulgarian football (soccer) player, born in 1978. He currently plays in England for Portsmouth F.C.
Todorov began his career at Liteks Lovech, where he showed he was an impressive striker, scoring 19 goals in 26 games. His skill earned him a call-up to the Bulgaria national football team, for whom more assured performances attracted the attention of foreign clubs. In January 2001 English club West Ham United F.C. swooped to sign Todorov for £500,000.
The Bulgarian international made his West Ham debut in a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool F.C., and netted in his third game; a 3-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur F.C..
However, following manager Harry Redknapp's departure from the club, Todorov found himself out of favour, and he played just eight games under new manager Glenn Roeder in the 2001/02 season.
However, in January 2002, Redknapp, now at Portsmouth, moved to sign Todorov for £750,000 as part of his rebuilding of the club. Todorov showed why Redknapp had been so keen to be reunited with him, and was the First Division's top scorer in 2002/03, with Pompey winning the title. He notched 26 goals in all competitions.
But bad news was to follow just before the start of the club's debut Premiership season as a severely damaged cruciate knee ligament ruled him out for months. He made his comeback in mid-March in a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool, but lasted only 45 minutes before having to be replaced.
Severe bone-bruising was diagnosed, and in May he was forced into more major surgery, ruling him out of contention for Bulgaria at Euro 2004.
His recovery continues, with club physios hoping he is back in action by Christmas 2004.
