Young Bulgarian Talent Joins Sporting Lisbon

Litex Lovech have sold 20-year-old midfielder Simeon Slavchev to Sporting Lisbon.

The initial contract will be for 3 seasons, with the option of another 2-year extension, Gong.bg quoted Litex manager Stoycho Stoilov as saying.

The Portuguese sports site Record informed that the transfer fee is EUR 2.5 M.

The youngster attracted the interest of several major European clubs in the January transfer window. Tottenham, Roma, and Zenit St. Petersburg were among those looking to sign Slavchev, but the player decided to remain in Bulgaria until the end of the season.

Before Slavchev, other Bulgarian players like Krasimir Balakov, Valeri Bojinov, Boncho Genchev, and Ivaylo Yordanov wore the green-white jersey of Sporting.

Sporting finished 2nd in the Portuguese league, which means they will participate in next season's Champions League.