Since he won his first cap for Bulgaria in February 2002, he has proven himself to be an integral part of the side. He started six times in Bulgaria's table-topping qualifying campaign.

The 30-year-old veteran began his career in Serbia and Montenegro before moving to Bulgaria to play for Litex in 2000. He made such an impact at Litex that he was granted Bulgarian citizenship at the end of 2001.

He enjoyed a spell at Chinese side Dalian Shide before returning to Litex in 2003, where he thought he stood a better chance of keeping himself in the frame for coach Plamen Markov's side.