Bulgarian Striker Popov Deal with Blackburn Rovers Fails

Ivelin Popov has seen his high hopes of joining Blackburn Rovers crash. Photo by BGNES

English Premiership club Blackburn Rovers has failed to sign the young hope of the Bulgarian national football team, Ivelin Popov, after the country's football association refused to register him.

The 22-year-old Popov, who plays for the current Bulgarian champion Litex Lovech, does not meet the criteria of the association as he has played in just 65% of the matches of the national team for the last two years, a statement on the club website said.

The player has not been issued a work permit, without which he does not have the right to play in the Premier League.

Last month a statement on the Litex Lovech website suggested that the transfer was sealed but for the player's work permit. Shortly afterward however the information was denied by Rovers chairman John Williams.

Popov has a total of 3 goals out of 15 matches for the Bulgarian national football team, and a total of 32 goals in 101 matches in the Bulgarian football championship. In 2009-2010, he recorded a “triple” with Litex who won the championship, the national cup and the Bulgarian supercup.

The striker has previously been linked with a move to England, with Manchester City and Sunderland showing interest in the past. PSV Eindhoven and Ajax have also been linked with the player.

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