Chris Popov

Chris Popov
Personal information
Full name Christopher Petrov Popov[1]
Date of birth (2004-10-26) 26 October 2004
Place of birth Cardiff, Wales
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Hartlepool United
Number 19
Youth career
–2021 Manchester United
2021–2024 Leicester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024–2026 Leicester City 0 (0)
2024–2025 → Barrow (loan) 11 (0)
2026 → Morecambe (loan) 18 (7)
2026– Hartlepool United 3 (0)
International career‡
2021 Wales U18 1 (0)
2021–2023 Wales U19 5 (2)
2023– Wales U21 17 (3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:33, 22 August 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:30, 14 November 2025 (UTC)

Christopher Petrov Popov (born 26 October 2004) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward or midfielder for National League club Hartlepool United. He is a Wales under-21 international.

Club career

Leicester City

Popov joined the Leicester City academy in 2021 after being released by Manchester United.[2] On 27 August 2024, he made his senior debut for the club as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 4–0 EFL Cup victory against Tranmere Rovers.[3]

On 30 August 2024, Popov joined EFL League Two side Barrow on a season-long loan.[4] He made his club and league debut a day later, starting in a 1–0 away win against Harrogate Town.[5] He made 12 appearances in all competitions for Barrow.[6]

On 21 January 2026, Popov joined National League side Morecambe on loan until the end of the season.[7] He made 18 appearances for Morecambe, scoring seven times and contributing four assists.[6]

On 24 May 2026, he was released by Leicester City following their relegation from the Championship.[8]

Hartlepool United

On 27 June 2026, he signed for National League club Hartlepool United on a deal until June 2028.[6] He started in the opening match of the 2026–27 season, a 2–0 home win against Barrow.[9]

International career

Born in Wales, Popov is of Bulgarian descent and is eligible to play for both Wales and Bulgaria.[10][11]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 August 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City U21 2022–23[12] ———3[a]030
2023–24[13] ———1[a]010
2024–25[14] ———1[a]010
Total ———5050
Leicester City 2024–25[14] Premier League 000010—10
Barrow (loan) 2024–25[14] League Two 110100000120
Morecambe (loan) 2025–26[15] National League 187–––187
Hartlepool United 2026–27[16] National League 3000–1040
Career total 327101060407
  1. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ↑ "C. Popov". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  2. ↑ Pawley, Luke (16 April 2022). "Leicester City may already have the next Jamie Vardy in their ranks". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Leicester City vs Tranmere Rovers: League Cup". BBC Sport. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "Leicester's Popov loaned to Barrow". BBC Sport. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "Leicester's Popov loaned to Barrow". BBC Sport. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Pools sign Wales U21 international Chris Popov". Hartlepool United FC. 27 June 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Morecambe sign Leicester's Popov on loan". BBC. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Leicester City: Jordan Ayew and Ricardo Pereira among 10 players leaving". BBC Sport. 24 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  9. ↑ Jones, Jason (8 August 2026). "'Superb' - Trio score 8s as Hartlepool United beat Barrow in National League opener - player ratings". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Нападател с български произход в "Лестър"
  11. ↑ И Крис Попов с шанс да играе за България
  12. ↑ "Games played by Chris Popov in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  13. ↑ "Games played by Chris Popov in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 "Games played by Chris Popov in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "Games played by Chris Popov in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  16. ↑ "Games played by Chris Popov in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
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