Nik Tzanev (Huddersfield Town | England)

0-0 draw. Tzanev rides that pine.

Dons (10th) travel to Notts County (14th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/09/england/league-two/notts-county-fc/afc-wimbledon/4089203/

Edit - Tzanev on the bench

Dons won 2-0. Dons now 1 point behind Gillingham in the last promotion playoff spot. Though you would think at season end Tzanev will be leaving SW London.

Dons geat Gillingham 2-0. Tzanev on the pine.
Dons into 7th (promotion playoffs).

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/12/england/league-two/afc-wimbledon/gillingham-fc/4089211/

Dons (7th) host Newport County (12th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/16/england/league-two/afc-wimbledon/newport-county-afc/4089245/

Tzanev watches a 0-2 loss.

Dons (7th) travel to Crewe Alexandra (5th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/england/league-two/crewe-alexandra-fc/afc-wimbledon/4089278/

Tzanev watches a 1-1 draw. Dons 9th, 1 point off playoff spots.

Dons (9th) host Harrogate Town (13th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/29/england/league-two/afc-wimbledon/harrogate-town-fc/4089313/

Tzanev watches 10 men Dons (send off at 61 mins) in a 1-1 draw. Dons 1 pt off playoff spots.

Dons (8th) travel to Stockport County (1st).

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/01/england/league-two/stockport-county-fc/afc-wimbledon/4089364/

Tzanev watches a 1-0 loss. Dons 3 pts off the playoff spots.

Dons (10th) host Salford City (20th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/06/england/league-two/afc-wimbledon/salford-city-fc/4089372/

Edit - Tzanev on the pine

Dons win 1-0, to go 8th, 1 spot off the playoffs.
Niggly affair. Salford with 9 yellows, and then 2 players sent off at 99 mins (2nd yellows)

Dons (8th) travel to Swindon Town (19th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/13/england/league-two/swindon-town-fc/afc-wimbledon/4089414/

Edit - Tzanev on the pine

Dons lose 3-2 in a blow to their playoff chances. 3 pts now off the playoff spots.

Dons (11th) travel to Tranmere Rovers (17th). Basically must win for Dons to make the playoffs with 2 games left.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/20/england/league-two/tranmere-rovers-fc/afc-wimbledon/4089427/

Big news for a big must win Dons game. Tzanev in goal. 

Bass not in the match day squad, so presumably injured. Big opportunity for the Bulgarian Kiwi having sat on the pine in 43 L2 games this season!

Unfortunately Dons (11th) lose 3-2, and with 1 game left they are now out of playoffs contention. 

They went down to 10 men at 59 mins (losing 2-1). Situation made worse by fact MK Dons (4th) will be in the playoffs.

Nice to see Tzanev get a game, after 43 consecutive matches getting splinters. But unless Bass is on the move, presumably Tzanev will be looking for a new employer in the off season. He won't be in 2026 WC contention, without playing regularly somewhere.

Back to back games for Tzanev in what was the epitome of a nothing game for for both AFC Wimbledon & Walsall. Both out of promotion contention heading into the last matchday with both sitting mid table.

Anyway, 5-1 it finished to the Don's, and they leapfrog Walsall in the final standings to 10th.

Screenshot_2024-04-28-07-39-51-39_955f68c4df44ad6a86e46b05cf65099a.jpg 208.57 KB

Screenshot_2024-04-28-07-50-46-16_955f68c4df44ad6a86e46b05cf65099a.jpg 95.62 KB

As Coochiee alluded to earlier - He'll probably be off in the off season - contract expires in a couple of months, and I can't see him wanting to be a #2 next season as well. Although Bass is returning to his parent club Sunderland, so that might present another opportunity for Tzanev.

Off season for now though, and we wait for the next move. ⏳

He has been released.

Sign him up, Corica

MetalLegNZ

He has been released.

That happened far more quickly than I thought it would.

Leaving one AFC for another? 😏

YoungHeartHM

MetalLegNZ

He has been released.

That happened far more quickly than I thought it would.

Leaving one AFC for another? 😏

They reportedly have Woud. I reckon he will go alright at ALM level. Don't think Woud will be conceding as many goals as Oli the last few weeks. Though Foley's dollars will ensure Auckland are never the mess the Glory currently are. Well not while Bill is alive anyway.

Who knows if Paulsen leaves the Nix, I reckon Tzanev would be the best Kiwi option as like for like. Apparently good with his feet, though I've never seen enough of him to have an opinion.

Otherwise I imagine he'll find another gig in League Two. He's more Brit, than Bulgarian-Kiwi after all.

I'd take Tzanev over Woud any day. Don't trust Woud at all.

Nik has been signed by league one club, Northampton on a one year deal according to bbc. 

Mods please update club

AucklandPhoenix

Nik has been signed by league one club, Northampton on a one year deal according to bbc. 

Mods please update club

That's a good move that is.
Similar route to what Crocombe did - Moving from League Two to League One.

Hopefully he sees more playing time this season.

ICYMI: ✍️ Earlier today we completed the signing of goalkeeper Nik Tzanev. Welcome to Sixfields, Nik!https://t.co/glwote7bWD#ShoeArmy 👞 pic.twitter.com/yEoXB8Fff4

— Northampton Town (@ntfc) July 3, 2024

Northampton? That's where Alan Moore and Bauhaus are from, home of the goths

Hopefully he can grab the starting role. 

Different to Crocombe though, who had a top season in L2 with Grimsby (plus a great run in the FA Cup) before landing at Burton Albion in L1.

Tzanev was clearly the no 2 keeper at Wimbledon last season.

Northampton Town were a firm mid table 14th in League One last season.
31 yr Lee Burge, is the incumbent. Sounds like other keeper 19 yr old Dadge will go out on loan somewhere else.

Their gaffer Jon Brady is an Aussie.

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2024/july/03/nik-tzanev-joins-northampton-town/

"We were looking to bring another senior keeper in to the squad this season and we are pleased to welcome Nik," said manager Jon Brady.

"He is a good size with a good presence and has a decent amount of experience under his belt, and James Alger rates him highly.

"Nik will come in to complement, support and challenge Lee Burge and his arrival strengthens and adds a little more experience to our goalkeeping department. It also allows us to look at a loan for James Dadge, if we wish, to further his development by playing week in, week out.

Northampton lose 1-2 to Wycombe Wanderers.

Tzanev comes off the pine at 71 mins (1-2)! Presumably an injury to the starting keeper Burge

 https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/14/england/league-one/northampton-town-fc/wycombe-wanderers-fc/4378441/

Northampton Town (18th) host Huddersfield Town (4th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/21/england/league-one/huddersfield-town-fc/northampton-town-fc/4378451/

Unfortunately first choice GK Burge has recovered, so Tzanev on the bench. No Dibley-Dias

NT win 3-1 away

Northampton Town (17th) host Bolton (14th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/01/england/league-one/northampton-town-fc/bolton-wanderers-football-club/4378478/

Northampton lose 2-4. Tzanev on the pine and no Dibley-Dias

Bolton were up 4-0 until the 91st min! Northampton down to 19th. Might be time to give MD-D a crack.

Northampton Town (19th) travel to Wrexham (2nd). 3rd promotion for Wrexham?

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/05/england/league-one/wrexham-fc/northampton-town-fc/4378493/

Edit - Tzanev on the pine. No Dibley-Dias

NT get thrashed 4-1.

They have a midweek EFT Trophy game (Notts County) so hopefully Dibley-Dias plays in that.

Northampton Town travel to Notts County in the EFL Trophy.
Tzanev hopefully in goal, and maybe even mins for Dibley-Dias.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/08/england/football-league-trophy/notts-county-fc/northampton-town-fc/4383782/

Tzanev in goal for a 2-0 win. Still no Dibley-Dias

Northampton (20th) beat Leyton Orient (19th), 1-0.
Tzanev on the pine, still no Dibley-Dias

Northampton Town (19th) travel to Stockport County (9th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/22/england/league-one/stockport-county-fc/northampton-town-fc/4378528/