1. Overview
Boban Nikolov (Бобан НиколовMacedonian; born on July 28, 1994) is a professional footballer from North Macedonia who primarily plays as a central midfielder. He currently plays for the Bosnian club Borac Banja Luka and is also a member of the North Macedonia national football team. Throughout his career, Nikolov has played for various clubs across Europe, including FC Viitorul Constanța in Romania, FK Vardar in North Macedonia, Fehérvár FC in Hungary, U.S. Lecce in Italy, FC Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova, FCSB in Romania, and Kisvárda FC in Hungary. He has achieved success at the club level, winning league titles and domestic cups in different countries. Internationally, he has represented North Macedonia at various youth levels, serving as captain for some teams, and made his senior national team debut in 2016, going on to represent his country at UEFA Euro 2020.
2. Personal Life and Background
Boban Nikolov was born on July 28, 1994, in Štip, North Macedonia. He is an ethnic Aromanian and is proficient in the Aromanian language.
3. Club Career
Boban Nikolov's professional club career has seen him play for multiple teams across various European leagues, starting from his youth development to his current role as a seasoned midfielder.
3.1. Youth Career
Nikolov began his early football training in his home country, playing for Bregalnica until 2010. He then continued his development at the Gheorghe Hagi Football Academy in Romania, where he trained from 2010 to 2012, preparing for his professional debut.
3.2. Senior Club Career
Nikolov transitioned into senior professional football in 2012 and has since played for clubs in Romania, North Macedonia, Hungary, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moldova.
3.2.1. Viitorul Constanța
In 2012, Nikolov joined FC Viitorul Constanța in Romania. He made his professional debut in the Liga I on March 8, 2013, in a 4-1 defeat against CS Gaz Metan Mediaș. Later that season, on May 19, he scored his first Liga I goal in a 5-2 victory over Steaua București. He played for Viitorul Constanța until 2015.
3.2.2. Vardar
In 2015, Nikolov returned to his home country, joining FK Vardar. During his tenure with Vardar until 2018, he played a significant role in the team's success, contributing to their First Macedonian Football League titles in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, as well as winning the Macedonian Super Cup in 2015. He notably featured in 12 European competition matches, scoring 3 goals, during the 2017-18 season.
3.2.3. Fehérvár
Nikolov moved to Hungary in 2018 to play for Fehérvár FC (formerly Videoton FC). He spent four seasons with the club, participating in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I. He contributed to Fehérvár winning the Hungarian league title in his first season (2017-18) and the Magyar Kupa (Hungarian Cup) in the 2018-19 season. His time at Fehérvár concluded in 2021.
3.2.4. Lecce
On January 19, 2021, Nikolov signed with Italian Serie B club U.S. Lecce. His spell in Italy was brief, lasting approximately seven months before he moved on to his next club.
3.2.5. Sheriff Tiraspol
Seven months after joining Lecce, on August 20, 2021, Nikolov signed with Moldovan National Division club FC Sheriff Tiraspol. With Sheriff Tiraspol, he achieved significant success, winning the Moldovan National Division and the Moldovan Cup during the 2021-22 season. He also played in 7 European matches for the club, scoring 1 goal.
3.2.6. FCSB
On September 17, 2022, Nikolov returned to the Romanian Liga I to join FCSB, the same club he scored his first Liga I goal against with Viitorul. He signed a one-year deal with an option to extend for an additional year, making 11 league appearances and 2 cup appearances for the team.
3.2.7. Kisvárda
For the 2023-24 season, Nikolov played for Kisvárda FC in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I in Hungary. He made 22 league appearances and 4 cup appearances, scoring 1 goal in the league and 1 in the cup.
3.2.8. Borac Banja Luka
As of the 2024-25 season, Boban Nikolov is playing as a central midfielder for the Bosnian club FK Borac Banja Luka.
4. International Career
Boban Nikolov has been a consistent presence in the North Macedonia national football team system, progressing through various youth levels before becoming a key player for the senior squad.
4.1. Youth National Teams
Nikolov represented North Macedonia at multiple youth levels. He played for the U-17 team in 2010, making 3 appearances and scoring 1 goal. From 2011 to 2012, he was part of the U-19 squad, appearing 8 times. He then moved up to the U-21 team, playing 24 matches and scoring 2 goals between 2013 and 2017. Throughout his youth career, he also served as captain for some of these teams.
4.2. Senior National Team
Nikolov made his senior international debut for North Macedonia on May 29, 2016, in a match against Azerbaijan. His first goal for the national team came on March 24, 2017, in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein. He was part of the squad that represented North Macedonia at UEFA Euro 2020, marking the nation's first appearance in a major international tournament. As of November 20, 2022, Nikolov has earned 48 caps for the North Macedonia national team, scoring 4 goals.
5. Career Statistics
Boban Nikolov's career statistics reflect his consistent appearances and contributions across various clubs and for the North Macedonia national team.
5.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Viitorul Constanța | 2012-13 | Liga I | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 1 | ||
| 2013-14 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 20 | 0 | ||||
| 2014-15 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 16 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 38 | 2 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 41 | 2 | ||||
| Vardar | 2015-16 | Macedonian First Football League | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 2016-17 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | 38 | 9 | |||
| 2017-18 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | - | 22 | 3 | |||
| Total | 64 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 84 | 13 | ||
| Fehérvár | 2017-18 | Nemzeti Bajnokság I | 13 | 3 | - | - | - | 13 | 3 | |||
| 2018-19 | 29 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 0 | - | 51 | 3 | |||
| 2019-20 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | - | 29 | 3 | |||
| 2020-21 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | - | 13 | 2 | |||
| Total | 73 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 21 | 1 | - | 106 | 11 | |||
| Lecce | 2020-21 | Serie B | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 15 | 0 | ||
| Sheriff Tiraspol | 2021-22 | Moldovan National Division | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | - | 22 | 4 | |
| FCSB | 2022-23 | Liga I | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 0 | ||
| Kisvárda | 2023-24 | Nemzeti Bajnokság I | 22 | 1 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 26 | 2 | ||
| Borac Banja Luka | 2024-25 | Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 237 | 21 | 27 | 6 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 307 | 32 | ||
5.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia | |||
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 8 | 1 | |
| Total | 48 | 4 | |
5.2.1. International Goals
As of match played June 5, 2022. North Macedonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Nikolov goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 March 2017 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 3 | Liechtenstein | 1-0 | 3-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 19 November 2019 | Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, North Macedonia | 22 | Israel | 1-0 | 1-0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 3 | 8 October 2021 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 37 | Liechtenstein | 3-0 | 4-0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 5 June 2022 | Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar | 44 | Gibraltar | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2022-23 UEFA Nations League C |
6. Honours
Boban Nikolov has accumulated several titles and championships throughout his club career.
Vardar
- 1. MFL: 2015-16, 2016-17
- Macedonian Super Cup: 2015
Fehérvár
- Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 2017-18
- Magyar Kupa: 2018-19
Sheriff Tiraspol
- Divizia Națională: 2021-22
- Moldovan Cup: 2021-22