Damyan Kolev (Bulgarian: Дамян Колев; born 11 January 2002) is a Bulgarian volleyball player who plays as a libero for Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg in the German Bundesliga and represents the Bulgaria Men’s National Volleyball Team. He joined Ludwigsburg in 2026 after a long spell with Levski Sofia, where he won three consecutive Bulgarian championships, three Bulgarian Super Cups and the Bulgarian Cup. Kolev was Bulgaria’s starting libero during the team’s run to the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship silver medal.
Born in Dobrich, Kolev moved to Levski at 16 while still learning the libero position and developed there from a youth player into a senior starter. He made his first Men’s EuroVolley appearance with Bulgaria in 2026 and moved to Germany shortly afterward for the first foreign-club chapter of his career.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Damyan Kolev |
| Native name | Дамян Колев |
| Date of birth | 11 January 2002 |
| Place of birth | Dobrich, Bulgaria |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Position | Libero |
| Height | 177 cm |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Spike reach | 307 cm |
| Block reach | 300 cm |
| Previous clubs | Dobrudzha 07; Levski Sofia |
| Current club | Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg |
| Club number | 22 |
| National team | Bulgaria Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-team number | 22 |
| @dkolev14 | |
| Career status | Active |
Kolev’s height varies slightly across official listings. His current German Bundesliga registration gives 177 cm, Volleyball World lists 176 cm and CEV has used 178 cm. His last Levski profile listed him at 70 kg with a 307 cm spike reach and 300 cm maximum reach, figures also reflected in Bulgarian federation competition data.
His Instagram account is @dkolev14. The account has been directly attributed to Kolev in Bulgarian national sports coverage, including his message to supporters following the 2025 World Championship silver medal.
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Kolev was born in Dobrich on 11 January 2002. He began his development with Dobrudzha 07 before moving to Levski Sofia as a teenager. Levski later explained that he spent his first two seasons with the club on loan from Dobrudzha before completing a permanent transfer in May 2020.
The move to Sofia was important for more than club competition. In a 2026 interview reflecting on his Levski years, Kolev said that he arrived at 16 and had not yet played extensively as a libero. He described Levski as the place where he took his first serious steps in the position. Rather than arriving as an established specialist, he learned the role while competing in the club’s youth and senior structures.
Kolev was also progressing through Bulgaria’s age-group national teams. CEV records connect him with the 2018 U18 European Championship, the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival and the 2022 U22 European Championship, while the Bulgarian federation featured him as part of its U21 generation before the 2021 World Championship.
That development path gave him repeated exposure to international volleyball before he established himself in Bulgaria’s senior team. For a libero, those years were particularly valuable because the position depends less on scoring statistics and more on repeated experience reading serves, controlling first contact and positioning behind different block systems.
Club Career
Dobrudzha 07 and the Move to Levski Sofia
Kolev’s early club affiliation was with Dobrudzha 07 in his native Dobrich. In 2018, at 16, he moved to Levski Sofia on loan. He remained formally attached to Dobrudzha during his first two seasons in Sofia before Levski acquired him permanently in 2020.
The timing of the move coincided with his conversion into a more established libero. Kolev later said that he had little experience in the position when he arrived in Sofia, making those first Levski seasons a technical-development period rather than simply a transfer between senior teams.
By 2019, CEV was already registering him as No. 14 for Levski in European club competition. He would continue using No. 14 throughout much of his Levski career.
Permanent Levski Player
Levski announced Kolev as a permanent player in May 2020. At the time, the club described the Dobrich-born libero as an important member of Bulgaria’s youth national-team program and placed him in competition with experienced senior libero Vladislav Ivanov.
Over the following seasons, Kolev moved from a developmental role into the first-team rotation. His progress coincided with Levski rebuilding a young men’s squad around players developed inside Bulgarian volleyball, several of whom later reached the senior national team.
CEV competition records show Kolev with Levski in European Cups in 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The sequence reflects the stability of his club career: before his move to Germany, almost all of his senior development took place inside the same Sofia organization.
First Bulgarian Championship in 2023–24
Levski’s major domestic breakthrough came in 2023–24. The club had already won the 2023 Bulgarian Super Cup when it reached the league final against CSKA Sofia.
Levski swept the best-of-five championship series in three matches, securing its first Bulgarian men’s league title since 2009. The third match ended 3–1 at Levski Sofia Sports Hall. Kolev was part of the championship squad, completing his first national-title season with the club.
The title began the most successful period of Kolev’s club career.
Historic Treble in 2024–25
Levski successfully defended the Bulgarian Super Cup in October 2024, defeating Deya Sport 3–2 in a five-set final. Kolev was the starting libero in the semifinal against CSKA and remained part of the championship group throughout the competition.
The club then won the Bulgarian Cup in January 2025. Levski defeated Montana 3–1 in the final, with Kolev entering during the match as the Sofia side claimed its first Bulgarian Cup since 2014.
The league championship completed the treble. Levski swept Lokomotiv Avia 3–0 in the final series and retained the national title, combining the championship, Cup and Super Cup in the same campaign.
Kolev’s own domestic statistics also reflected a substantial defensive workload. In the 2024–25 Bulgarian league reception rankings, he finished third among eligible liberos under the federation’s reception-index calculation.
Third Consecutive Championship
Levski opened 2025–26 by winning another Bulgarian Super Cup. A 3–1 victory over Lokomotiv Avia gave the club its third consecutive Super Cup after the 2023 and 2024 triumphs.
The season ended with a third straight Bulgarian championship. Levski defeated Neftohimik Burgas in the final series, closing the title with a five-set victory on 2 May 2026.
For Kolev, the championship also marked the end of his Levski career. In his farewell interview, he described the first of the three league titles as particularly important because the young Levski team had entered that season without the same external expectations as an established favorite.
He left Sofia with three national championships, three Super Cups and one Bulgarian Cup.
Transfer to Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg
Kolev’s first move outside Bulgaria was confirmed in May 2026. He signed with Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg, a German Bundesliga club that had reached the playoffs in its first top-flight season. The German league’s official transfer register lists Kolev as a new libero arriving from Levski Sofia on a contract through 2027.
The transfer represented a major change after eight years in the Levski environment. Kolev acknowledged before leaving Sofia that he felt some natural tension about entering a new country and team for the first time, but also said that the new setting did not frighten him and that he intended to bring the same competitive expectations he had developed at Levski.
His current Bundesliga registration lists him as No. 22 and 177 cm tall. Ludwigsburg pairs him at libero with Laurin Schiegl.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Until 2018 | Dobrudzha 07 | Bulgaria |
| 2018–20 | Levski Sofia — loan from Dobrudzha 07 | Bulgaria |
| 2020–26 | Levski Sofia | Bulgaria |
| 2026–present | Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg | Germany |
Kolev’s Levski period therefore covered both his transition into the libero position and his rise into senior international volleyball. His move to Ludwigsburg in 2026 is the first foreign-club transfer of his career.
National Team Career
Youth National Teams
Kolev represented Bulgaria at several age-group levels before becoming a senior international. His CEV history includes the 2018 U18 European Championship, the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival and the 2022 U22 European Championship. He was also part of Bulgaria’s U21 national-team setup during the 2021 World Championship cycle.
Those teams gave Kolev experience as a defensive specialist while his club role at Levski was still developing. By the early 2020s, he was simultaneously competing for senior club minutes and progressing through the national-team age groups.
Senior Bulgaria
Kolev entered Bulgaria’s senior national-team environment before becoming its first-choice libero. Volleyball World listed him with Bulgaria for the 2024 Volleyball Nations League, and he remained in the squad during the following international cycles.
By 2025, his role had changed substantially. He was Bulgaria’s No. 22 libero in the VNL and then retained that number for the FIVB Men’s World Championship in the Philippines.
2025 World Championship Silver
The 2025 World Championship became the defining international result of Kolev’s career.
Bulgaria advanced from the pool stage and then moved through the knockout rounds, including a five-set quarterfinal comeback against the United States and a semifinal victory over Czechia. The semifinal win sent Bulgaria to its first men’s World Championship final in 55 years. Kolev was the team’s starting libero through the run.
His defensive contribution was visible early in the tournament. After two pool matches, Kolev was sixth in the published digging rankings and fifth among receivers, an important start for a player making his World Championship debut.
Italy defeated Bulgaria 3–1 in the final, but the silver medal ended a long wait for another Bulgarian World Championship final and gave the country its first medal at the event since 2006. Bulgaria’s starting lineup in the final included Kolev at libero.
The result also changed Kolev’s international standing. FIVB’s preview of Bulgaria’s 2026 VNL campaign described him as a key part of the team’s floor defense, reflecting the role he had established during the World Championship run.
2026 Volleyball Nations League
Kolev returned as Bulgaria’s No. 22 libero for the 2026 VNL and was used throughout all three weeks of preliminary competition.
Volleyball World’s match data show his defensive workload across the tournament. He recorded 14 digs against Canada, 11 against Serbia and eight against Iran, alongside regular reception responsibilities in Bulgaria’s serve-receive structure.
Those figures are more relevant to his role than conventional scoring statistics. As expected for a libero, Kolev finished the tournament without attack, block or service points; his contribution was concentrated in first contact and floor defense.
EuroVolley 2026
Kolev made his first senior European Championship appearance at EuroVolley 2026 in Bulgaria. CEV identified him as one of nine Bulgarian players making their Men’s EuroVolley debuts during the home tournament in Sofia.
Bulgaria completed the pool stage with four wins and one defeat, including a five-set victory over defending European champion Poland. The team then faced Germany in the round of 16.
Bulgaria won the first two sets 25–21 and 25–21 but Germany completed a five-set comeback, taking the deciding set 15–12 and ending Bulgaria’s tournament. Kolev was registered as No. 22 throughout the championship.
Following EuroVolley, he traveled to Germany to join Ludwigsburg’s full preseason preparation.
Playing Style & Strengths
Kolev plays as a specialist libero, so his primary value comes from serve reception, floor defense and extending rallies rather than point production. FIVB has specifically described him as an important presence in Bulgaria’s floor defense, a role that became particularly visible during the 2025 World Championship.
His development history helps explain that profile. Kolev did not arrive at Levski as a long-established libero; he has said that he had played relatively little in the position before moving to Sofia at 16. The technical foundation of his defensive game was therefore built during his Levski years as his responsibilities expanded from youth volleyball to European club competition and the senior national team.
Reception became one of his most measurable domestic strengths. During the 2024–25 Bulgarian league season, federation statistics placed Kolev third in the reception ranking among players meeting the libero qualification thresholds. That performance came during Levski’s championship-and-cup treble season.
His 2026 VNL numbers also show his ability to handle substantial defensive volume against international opposition. Matches with 14 digs against Canada and 11 against Serbia illustrate the type of back-court workload he can absorb when Bulgaria is under sustained attacking pressure.
Kolev’s listed height is around 176–178 cm depending on the competition source, making him substantially shorter than most of Bulgaria’s attackers and blockers. That is common territory for an international libero, where reading the attacker, early positioning, reaction speed and platform control are more important than playing above the net. His role is to make difficult first contacts playable and give the setter another opportunity to run the offense.
The strongest evidence of his progression is the level at which he has been trusted. He moved from learning the position at Levski to becoming a regular starter for a Bulgarian team that reached the World Championship final, then maintained his place through the 2026 VNL and EuroVolley cycle.
Major Achievements
Kolev’s senior career includes a World Championship medal and a sustained run of domestic titles with Levski Sofia.
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Silver medal |
Bulgaria’s 2025 silver was its first men’s World Championship medal since 2006 and its first appearance in the final since 1970. Kolev served as the team’s starting libero during the tournament.
Selected Club Honors
| Season / Year | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bulgarian Super Cup | Winner | Levski Sofia |
| 2023–24 | Bulgarian Championship | Champion | Levski Sofia |
| 2024 | Bulgarian Super Cup | Winner | Levski Sofia |
| 2024–25 | Bulgarian Cup | Winner | Levski Sofia |
| 2024–25 | Bulgarian Championship | Champion | Levski Sofia |
| 2025 | Bulgarian Super Cup | Winner | Levski Sofia |
| 2025–26 | Bulgarian Championship | Champion | Levski Sofia |
The three Super Cups were won consecutively in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while the league titles came in three straight seasons from 2023–24 through 2025–26. The 2024–25 campaign also produced the Bulgarian Cup and completed Levski’s historic domestic treble.
Where Is Damyan Kolev Playing Now?
Damyan Kolev plays for Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg in the German Bundesliga. The official Volleyball Bundesliga roster lists him as No. 22, while the league’s transfer register records his arrival from Levski Sofia on a contract running through 2027.
The move is Kolev’s first club experience outside Bulgaria. He left Levski after eight years in the organization, including his initial loan period, and after winning three consecutive Bulgarian championships. Ludwigsburg has paired him with German libero Laurin Schiegl for the 2026–27 season.
Kolev joined Ludwigsburg’s full preseason group after completing Bulgaria’s EuroVolley campaign in September 2026. Internationally, he remains an active Bulgaria senior player after appearing throughout the 2026 VNL and making his first Men’s EuroVolley appearance.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Competition / Period | Role | Notable Data |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 Bulgarian Super Volley | Levski Sofia libero | 29 matches; 3rd in federation reception ranking among qualifying liberos |
| 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship | Bulgaria starting libero | World Championship silver medal |
| 2026 Volleyball Nations League | Bulgaria No. 22 libero | 14 digs vs. Canada; 11 digs vs. Serbia |
| EuroVolley 2026 | Bulgaria No. 22 libero | First senior European Championship appearance; Round of 16 |
The snapshot shows the progression from domestic reception performance to a starting role on the international stage. The 2025 World Championship remains the most significant result, while the 2026 VNL and EuroVolley confirmed that Kolev continued as an established member of Bulgaria’s defensive unit before beginning his Bundesliga career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Damyan Kolev?
The German Bundesliga currently lists Kolev at 177 cm. Volleyball World lists him at 176 cm, while CEV has used 178 cm in European competition records.
What position does Damyan Kolev play?
Kolev is a libero. His responsibilities center on serve reception, digging and back-court defense for both his club and the Bulgaria men’s national team.
Which club does Damyan Kolev play for?
Kolev plays for Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg in the German Bundesliga. He joined the club from Levski Sofia in 2026 on a contract through 2027.
What number does Damyan Kolev wear?
He wears No. 22 for Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg and has also worn No. 22 for Bulgaria in recent senior international competition.
Did Damyan Kolev win a medal at the 2025 World Championship?
Yes. Kolev was Bulgaria’s starting libero as the team reached the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship final and won the silver medal after losing to Italy.
What is Damyan Kolev’s Instagram?
His verified public Instagram handle is @dkolev14. Bulgarian sports coverage directly identified that account when reproducing his message following Bulgaria’s 2025 World Championship silver medal.
References
- Volleyball Bundesliga — Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg 2026–27 team roster
- Volleyball Bundesliga — 2026–27 transfer register
- Barock Volleys MTV Ludwigsburg — 2026–27 preseason and national-team arrivals
- Volleyball World — Damyan Kolev VNL 2026 player profile and statistics
- Volleyball World — Damyan Kolev 2025 Men’s World Championship player profile
- FIVB — Bulgaria build on the 2025 World Championship breakthrough at VNL 2026
- CEV — Damyan Kolev player history and EuroVolley 2026 registration
- CEV — Bulgaria’s EuroVolley 2026 debutants
- Levski Sofia — Damyan Kolev becomes a permanent Levski player
- Levski Sofia — Damyan Kolev reflects on leaving the club for Germany
- CEV — Levski Sofia win the 2023–24 Bulgarian championship
- bTV Sport — Damyan Kolev’s verified Instagram post after the 2025 World Championship