PAOK announced Despodov

PAOK PAOK announces the acquisition of Kirill Despodov from Ludogorets. The Bulgarian winger has signed a contract with Dikefalos until June 30, 2027 and will wear the jersey number 77.

Kirill Despodov was born on November 11, 1996 in Kresna, Bulgaria, two hours away from the city of Thessaloniki. Despodov started out in the Litex Lovets academies and made impressive appearances in the junior age divisions, competing as a winger.

The Bulgarian striker made his first team debut at the age of 15 on May 12, 2012. He stayed at Litex Lovets until 2016, playing in 49 games, scoring six times and providing one assist.

Next stop in his career, CSKA Sofia. In the summer of 2016 he moved to Sofia and stayed there until September 2019, counting 80 appearances, 25 goals and 26 assists.

His numbers impressed Cagliari, who offered €4,000,000 to sign him. He stayed there for a year but did not find time to participate, counting only five appearances.

A loan spell at Sturm Graz and Ludogorets followed. In Sturm Graz he played in the 2019-20 season and scored, in 21 appearances, nine goals and eight assists.

In 2020-21 he returned to Bulgaria on loan with an option to buy for Ludogorets who in 2022 paid the clause and acquired him on a regular transfer. In Razgrad he stayed for three years, played in 128 matches, scored 39 times and distributed 55 assists, won three championships, one Cup and two Super Cups.

Kirill Despodov was three times the Bulgarian footballer of the year and twice the first in assists. He is also the captain of the Bulgarian national team with 39 appearances and 10 goals.