"Army men, today loved ones, relatives, friends, supporters, teammates and legends of the club gathered at the National Stadium “Vasil Levski“ to pay their last respects to one of the emblematic figures in the history of CSKA — Ivan Zafirov. The tribute was attended by the club's executive director Radoslav Zlatkov, technical director Mikhail Alexandrov and chief scout Metodi Tomanov", the "red" wrote on their official website.
"With deep gratitude and admiration for his deeds, everyone laid wreaths and flowers to send off with dignity the man who dedicated his life to CSKA and the national cause. A tribute to his bright memory! Rest in peace, legend!", the club also wrote.
Zafirov is one of the club's most iconic and titled players in the 60s and 70s, when CSKA dominated the domestic scene and won European glory, BTA recalls.
He played as a right-back and competed with the red shirt in two periods - from 1962 to 1966 and between 1968 and 1981. He played over 400 matches with the CSKA team in all competitions, and in the European tournaments he took part in 37 matches.
The defender is a nine-time champion with the "army men" and won the Soviet Army Cup five times. He is the captain of CSKA. Ivan Zafirov has 50 appearances and one goal for the Bulgarian national team, and in 1968 he was part of the team that won the silver medals at the Olympic Games in Mexico.
In 1968 he was awarded the Silver Order of Labor, and in 1974 he was awarded the distinction of "Honored Master of Sports". He is the father of former CSKA football players Adalbert and Martin Zafirov. Ivan Zafirov has always been a symbol of an uncompromising spirit, courage and football class.