Z. Zdravkovas withdraws from the Bulgarian national team © EuroFootball.com

Long-time Bulgarian national team goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov announced today that he is retiring from the national team and will focus all his attention on club football.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper's decision to retire from the national team was influenced by the fact that he was no longer included in the main Bulgarian squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Dimitar Ivankov, who is five years younger than Zdravkov and has represented the national team 69 times, is gradually taking Zdravkov's place.

"I hoped to get another chance to play again, but it didn't happen, so I have now definitively decided to leave the national team. I wish the team all the best. I have experienced many good emotions with the team, although there were also some negative ones," said Zdravkov, who currently plays for the Turkish team "Rizespor."