The Bulgarian Riviera should suffice: Vilian Bijev at Cherno More Varna

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...-sign-american-teenager-villyan-bijev?cc=5901

ESPN is reporting this based on a California TV station reporting it.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/07/one-goodie-and-more-in-oven.html

I wonder if he can get first team action at Genk? If so that would be huge.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Great news!

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

According to this chart, a Bulgarian passport allows you to work in certain countries but not all since Bulgaria is still in a transitional phase. It appears that Bijev will be okay with his Bulgarian passport in the UK on January 1, 2012.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

A first team contract for an American who was just playing in development academy. Jen Chang doesn't have all that high of praise for him, but Liverpool must have seen something. He certainly didn't just earn it on pedigree.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

weird, why would anyone care about Jen Chang's talent evaluation?

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Anyone know if he was born in the us or moved along the way?

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Born in Bulgaria. Emigrated to the US when he was about 4 or so I think.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

This is good to hear. Here's hoping we can see him play for Liverpool this season.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

We can't, if only because he will be on loan to Genk this season.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

I know I'll get crushed for this but whatever.

I think Bob Bradley should at the very least bring him in for training when the USMNT goes to Belgium for their Euro based friendly. He's older than Agudelo was when he debuted. We need to make sure he knows we're serious about him before he gets any inkling to play for Bulgaria.

*ducks and covers*

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

I think it would be ok to have him training with us, couldn't hurt in case he turns out to be a stud and it isn't like he'd have to travel since he'd already be there.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

I've never been there, but Google maps says Genk and Brussels are only an hour drive apart. I'd almost expect him to show up in some capacity.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Oh ok. I thought he was only in Genk until January for work permit purposes but I guess I misread MLSsoccer

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Exactly, I wouldn't expect it, but wouldn't be surprised if Bob had him in camp to evaluate him. We'll see I guess.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

There is almost nowhere in Belgium that isn't within a one-hour drive of Brussels.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Bulgaria is not Italy or Mexico or even Serbia. They don't compete for the World Cup or the Euro. No real reason to play for them absent parental pressure or USSF blowing it.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Belgian Congo

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Fwiw, TDS only had him rated 45th nationally in his age cohort. But, again, Development Academy Bext XI says something.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

You got a time machine I'm not aware of? The Belgians got out of the Congo in the 60s.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

To be fair, it was not specified what kind of car you'd be driving...

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Kid looks like the 2nd coming of Ian Rush in this photo

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/24/american-exports-youth-phenom-bijev-inked-liverpool

I'm 100% sure 'Pool fans wouldn't mind that!

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

This comment confirms that Liverpool think him stud: "[Liverpool] would be very surprised if he wasn't in the first team by the end of the season."
For an 18 year old to break into the first team of the Belgium champs, you must be pretty good. This is great news!

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

sidefootsitter will be pleased to finally see another signing-to-Belgian-loan Yank move.

 

Re: Villyan Bijev at Liverpool FC?

Or his limitations haven't been exposed yet - one of the two. Let's hope it's the first choice, but I am skeptical when a kid comes from a certain place, goes someplace else, and then all of a sudden is the next big thing after only two scrimmages. We all hope that he will do well, but I also hope he doesn't get lost in the shuffle when they eventually discover the flaws that tempered everyone's opinion of him when he was in California. Regardless, he should be better off for the experience - no matter how it turns out. Glad he got signed.