Building Bulgaria's football future

The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) is taking a significant step towards strengthening the future of the game in the country with the launch of BFU Academy, an ambitious initiative aiming to raise standards in youth development and provide talented young players with the best possible environment to reach their potential.

Following a series of regional trials held in eight cities across Bulgaria, 25 of the country's most promising boys born in 2013 will be brought together for a three-year development programme at the BFU's national training base in Sofia.

The initiative represents far more than a talent identification project. Combining elite coaching, education and player welfare, BFU Academy has been created with the long-term goal of developing well-rounded young people while establishing a new benchmark for youth development across Bulgarian football.

Raising standards for the future

"Our main idea behind the project is to raise the bar. We want BFU Academy to be the benchmark for all youth academies in the country,” explains Lachezar Dimov, head of the programme. “We want to give the best possible conditions and environment for the chosen boys, who will form the first class. In the very near future, all academies in the country will be categorised and that's why the BFU Academy must be the benchmark."

The initiative also aims to ensure talented players are not overlooked during their early development.

"Some local talents could have been missed by clubs, who are generally looking for instant development and impact,” adds Dimov. “We aim for a long-term future and want to develop these talents in a new and modern way.”

Dimov leads a session with a group of young playersBFU

The BFU drew inspiration from successful development models across Europe when designing the programme, adapting them to meet the needs of Bulgarian football. Youth national team coaches have also been closely involved throughout the selection process.

Developing players on and off the pitch

Beginning in August ahead of the 2026/27 season, the inaugural group will live, study and train together in Sofia while remaining registered with their respective clubs, which will be compensated throughout the programme.

Alongside a comprehensive coaching team, the players will benefit from the support of teachers, medical staff, a nutrition specialist, sports psychologist and performance analysts, reflecting the BFU's holistic approach to their development.

"The most important thing is that this is not only a football project, but a social one as well. We want to develop not only footballers but human beings too,” says Dimov. “This should be an example for academies in the country."

After three years, the players will return to their clubs better prepared for the next stage of their development, with the programme designed to strengthen not only individual careers but Bulgarian football as a whole.