Oka Nikolov
Oka Nikolov [' ɔka ' nikɔlɔf ] ( Macedonian Ока Николов; born May 25, 1974 in Erbach as Orhej Nikolov ) is a Macedonian- German football player.
Career
Club career
Raised in Sandbach in the Odenwald (Hessen) he made at his home club SG Sandbach first experiences as a footballer. Early one recognized his talent as a goalkeeper, especially his reactions are considered to be excellent.
Eintracht Frankfurt
His professional career began in 1994 at Eintracht Frankfurt. First, he was a reserve goalkeeper behind Uli Stein and Andreas Koepke, before he had become first-choice goalkeeper of the club after the descent of concord and the departure of the then National goalkeeper Kopke 1996. Until the 2000/01 season he remained first-choice goalkeeper when he had to give way under coach Felix Magath said neuverpflichteten Dirk Heinen. After re descent from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2001 and the departure of Dirk Heinen he fought his regular place back in goal.
After the descent in the summer of 2004, he had once again give way to a new signing ( Markus Pröll ). After his injury at the beginning of the 2005/06 season Nikolov returned after a year back into the goal for Eintracht Frankfurt and defended his course with a strong performance even after Pröll 's recovery until season's end. This lost Nikolov at the beginning of the 2006/07 season again, when coach Friedhelm glitter Markus Pröll gave preference. Due to a persistent rib injury from Pröll, which broke again, Nikolov played regularly and still came to 20 inserts season 2006/07. In the 2012/13 season Nikolov came in the season finale to seven missions after Kevin Trapp had his hand broken. In May 2013, the contract was extended with Nikolov for another year until 30 June 2014, but disbanded in June 2013 on Nikolov wish. This was to fulfill a lifelong dream and finish off his career in the United States.
Philadelphia Union
In the summer of 2013 Nikolov joined the Major League Soccer Philadelphia Union. Nikolov was indeed as a substitute goalkeeper committed to its main task, however, was to train the young goalkeeper Zac MacMath and pass on his experience to him.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Early 2014, he joined the North American Soccer League for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
National
Between 1998 and 2001, denied Nikolov five A- international matches in the Macedonian national team.
Achievements
- Bundesliga promotion in 1998, 2003, 2005 and 2012
- DFB Cup finalists 2006 ( 0:1 against FC Bayern München)
- Qualification for the Europa League 2013
Others
Since 1999, Nikolov is in possession of a German passport.
For the fans Nikolov is popular mainly because of its loyalty club; so he remained Eintracht Frankfurt for over 20 years despite of four descents in the Second Bundesliga faithful and will therefore jokingly by fans and the press, " the eternal Oka " called. As an experienced player, he was used when required as captain. Nikolov was chosen as the only active players from the fans to one of the pillars of harmony. To this end, the elected representatives of the Frankfurt U -Bahn station " Willy Brandt -Platz" were immortalized with your likeness on columns as " Hall of Fame".
Nikolov support the initiative as an ambassador respect! No place for racism.