Daniel Genadiev Naumov (Bulgarian: Даниел Генадиев Наумов; born 29 March 1998) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Greek Super League club OFI.[2]
Born in Gotse Delchev,[3] Naumov started his career from the local Pirin Gotse Delchev, before joining CSKA Sofia.[4] In 2015, he moved to Ludogorets Razgrad Academy.[5]
He made his debut for Ludogorets Razgrad II in B Group on 4 April 2016 in match against Neftochimic Burgas.[6] After the injury of Vladislav Stoyanov in March 2017, Numov became the second-choice goalkeeper and on 18 April 2017 he made his debut for the first team in the Bulgarian Cup match against Litex Lovech, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win.[7] On 28 May 2017, he completed his First League debut in a 3–1 win over Cherno More.[8]
Naumov started the 2017–18 season in Ludogorets II playing in the first match of the season against Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia.[9]
On 30 January 2018, Naumov was loaned to Vereya until end of the season in order to play in the First League.[10] He made his debut for the team on 17 February 2018 in the first league match of the year against CSKA Sofia.[11] Naumov ended the campaign with only five appearances due to a shoulder injury and noted that he hoped to become the first-choice goalkeeper in Ludogorets in the following season.[12]
In June 2019, Naumov joined Second League club CSKA 1948, in search of more starting games, signing a contract until June 2021.[13] He quickly established himself as a first choice goalkeeper. In November 2019 he was watched by scouts of Manchester City & Southampton FC.[14]
Naumov served as the captain of the Bulgaria U19 team for the 2017 European Under-19 Championship qualification from 22 to 27 March 2017.[15] After a draw and two wins, the team qualified for the knockout phase which was held in July 2017.[16] In August 2017, he was called up for Bulgaria U21 for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Luxembourg, but dropped out after receiving an injury in league match with Ludogorets II and was replaced by Mihail Mihaylov.[17] Naumov made his debut for Bulgaria U21 on 27 March 2018 in a European Under-21 qualification match against Slovenia U21, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win.[18]
In February 2020, Naumov was called up to the senior team for a friendly against Belarus, but did not debut.[19] He made his debut on 31 March 2021, keeping a clean sheet for the draw against Northern Ireland for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[20]