New summer recruit Dimitar Mitov is eager to make a strong start with Aberdeen as he strives to claim the top spot as Bulgaria’s primary goalkeeper.

With three national team caps to his name, Mitov has been informed by Bulgaria’s head coach, Ilian Iliev, that he is competing with two other candidates for the No. 1 position.

The contenders for this role are Mitov, Svetoslav Vutsov, 22, from Slavia Sofia, and Ivan Dyulgerov, 25, from CSKA Sofia. Both Vutsov and Dyulgerov have six caps each.

Iliev is expected to decide on the starting goalkeeper before Bulgaria’s Nations League opener in September.

Bulgaria will kick off their Nations League campaign with an away match against Belarus on September 5, followed by a home game against Northern Ireland three days later.

Mitov is determined to make a significant impact at Aberdeen to secure the No. 1 spot for his national team.

The 27-year-old stated, “I aspire to be the No. 1 goalkeeper for my country. It’s always been my dream, and I will continue to work hard to make it a reality. The position is still open, as the Bulgaria manager has mentioned. All three of us have been given equal chances. We had a meeting with the manager, who has ensured we all get game time. He will make his decision in September when the Nations League begins. For goalkeepers, it’s a matter of playing or not playing. My primary focus is to perform well at the club level, and when given the chance to represent my country, I need to excel.”

Mitov achieved a clean sheet in his competitive debut for Aberdeen, helping them secure a 3-0 victory over Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup group stage opener.

Aberdeen activated a release clause to bring Mitov from St Johnstone for an undisclosed six-figure fee, securing his services until the summer of 2027.