Quick Facts
Biography
Villyan Bijev (Bulgarian: Вилиян Бижев, born 3 January 1993 in Sofia) is a Bulgarian footballer who currently plays as a Midfielder for Portland Timbers 2.
Early life
Villyan Bijev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and moved with his family to the United States at the age of five in 1998. He grew up in Fresno, California and began his youth career with local school team. In 2008, at the age of 15, Bijev joined California Odyssey.
Career
Liverpool
Bijev originally signed to play college soccer at the University of Washington in the fall of 2011, but in July 2011, Liverpool invited Bijev for a trial with the Under 18s. He left a great impression, netting five goals in two pre-season friendly games, earning himself a permanent switch to the Merseyside outfit in the process on a reported three-year deal with an additional two-year option. Liverpool officially announced the signing from US outfit California Odyssey on 31 August 2011.
He was released from the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.
Loan spells
The same day he signed for Liverpool, it was announced that Bijev had signed on loan for German side Fortuna Düsseldorf for the 2011–12 season. Bijev played mostly for Fortuna B-squad, where he scored 4 goals in 16 games. He appeared once for the first team, playing the last 8 minutes of a 2–1 away loss against Hansa Rostock on 5 April 2012, in the place of Adam Matuszczyk.
On 27 August 2012, Bijev joined Norwegian First Division side IK Start on a one year loan, as this will help him gain the necessary work permits to play in England. Bijev made his debut for the club in a 2–1 win over Hødd. Though he made one appearance, the club would be promoted to Tippeligaen.
Slavia Sofia
After being released by Liverpool, Bijev joined Bulgarian A Football Group side Slavia Sofia. He made his league debut for the club in a 4–1 home win against Marek Dupnitsa on 19 July 2014. Bijev marked his debut with a goal, scoring the fourth. In December 2014, his contract with Slavia was terminated by mutual consent.
Cherno More
On 12 January 2015, Bijev signed with Cherno More Varna on a one-and-a-half-year deal. He made his debut on 27 February, starting in a 2–0 home league win against Slavia Sofia. Bijev scored his first official goal for Cherno More on 5 March, netting the fourth in a 5–0 success at Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa for the Bulgarian Cup.
International career
Born in Bulgaria but raised in the United States, Bijev is eligible for both nations. He has represented the United States at the under-18 and under-20 level and Bulgaria at the under-21 level. He has yet to represent either at the senior level.
Career statistics
As of 30 January 2017
| Club performance | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Liverpool | 2011–12 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fortuna Düsseldorf II (loan) | 2011–12 | Regionalliga | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 | 4 | |
| Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan) | 2011–12 | 2. Bundesliga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |
| IK Start (loan) | 2012 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | |
| Liverpool | 2012–13 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Slavia Sofia | 2014–15 | A Group | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 11 | 1 | |
| Cherno More | 2014–15 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 2 | – | 15 | 4 | ||
| 2015–16 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 4 | ||
| Total | 23 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 8 | ||
| Portland Timbers 2 | 2016 | United Soccer League | 29 | 9 | – | – | 29 | 9 | ||
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 9 | ||
| Career statistics | 80 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 88 | 22 | ||
Honors
Club
- Bulgarian Cup: 2014–15
- Bulgarian Supercup: 2015