.jpg) Nikola Kotkov, 1969 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nikola Todorov Kotkov | ||
| Date of birth | (1938-12-09)9 December 1938 | ||
| Place of birth | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| Date of death | 30 June 1971(1971-06-30) (aged 32) | ||
| Place of death | Vitinya Pass, Bulgaria | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Lokomotiv Sofia | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1956–1968 | Lokomotiv Sofia | 276 | (142) |
| 1969 | ZHSK Slavia | 10 | (3) |
| 1969–1971 | Levski Sofia | 36 | (18) |
| Total | 322 | (163) | |
| International career | |||
| 1956–1959 | Bulgaria U19 | 16 | (8) |
| 1959–1961 | Bulgaria U21 | 7 | (5) |
| 1961–1969 | Bulgaria | 26 | (12) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Nikola Todorov Kotkov (Bulgarian:Никола Тодоров Котков) (9 December 1938 – 30 June 1971), nicknamedKoteto (Котето, "TheKitten") was aBulgarianfootballer who played as astriker.
Born in the capitalSofia, Kotkov started his football career as aLokomotiv Sofia trainee and went on to spend much of it (1956–1969) with the club, winning theBulgarian Championship in 1964. He then played forLevski Sofia, until his death in 1971. Kotkov died together with his friend and teammateGeorgi Asparuhov in atraffic accident in theVitinya Pass of theBalkan Mountains, en route toVratsa. With Levski, Kotkov became once again champion in 1970, winning theBulgarian Cupthe same year.
Kotkov played a total of 322 matches and scored 163 goals in the Bulgarian Championship and was given theBulgarian Footballer of the Year award in 1964. For theBulgaria national team, he had 26 caps and scored 12 goals, taking part in the1966 FIFA World Cup inEngland.
Kotkov was known for his technique, pinpoint passing and skillful free kick taking.
On June 30 1971, Kotkov died in a car crash with teammateGeorgi Asparuhov.[1]
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