Robert Stambolziev

Stambolziev grew up in the suburb Whittlesea of Melbourne's north,[6] where he played in the youth system of Preston Lions. Stambolziev was overlooked by the club's reserve-team, which saw him transfer to FFV Division 1 club Hume City in 2006, with whom he was able to play at reserve level. He was a member of Australia's European Football Institute, and travelled to England to work as a glass collector at the Walkabout in Swindon. He was then offered a trial with the U18 youth academies of Bristol City, Reading and Southend United aged fourteen. Both Bristol City and Southend United showed interest in signing him to their respective academies. Stambolziev returned to England aged sixteen with an Australian representative team which participated in a tour, again he was spotted by Bristol City and was officially offered a youth contract.

In 2007 Stambolziev joined the U18 youth academy of English Football League One side Bristol City.[7] He participated in the 2007–08 Premier Academy League, where Bristol City where in the Academy Group B and finish in fifth position with 38 points. Bristol City's U18 squad also participated in the 2007–08 FA Youth Cup, where Stambolziev would score a double (including a last-gasp winner) in a 2–1 victory against Leeds United U18 on 16 January 2008. The win would send Bristol City into the Round of 16 stage of the competition, where they would face Manchester City U18, as Stambolziev eventually earned the nickname of Bristol City's very own 'Wizard of Oz' by the English media. Stambolziev made several appearances for the Bristol City's reserve-team and trained with the club's first-team towards the end of 2008.[8] Bristol City U18 were eliminated in the Third Round of the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup in a 5–3 loss against Queens Park Rangers U18, in a match which was decided after extra-time. Bristol City U18 would finish in sixth position of the Academy Group B of the 2008–09 Premier Academy League with a total of 33 points, where Stambolziev had netted 9 goals in 23 league appearances. He was one of four academy graduates to eventually be offered a contract with the club's respective first-team, however, Stambolziev had declined the offer in favor of joining Greek club Panathinaikos in June 2009.[9][10][11]

In December 2008 it had been reported in Panathinaikos newspapers that Stambolziev was on trial with the club but could not sign until his contract at Bristol City would expire. It was believed by Bristol fans that Stambolziev had travelled to Greece to visit some relatives. In June 2009, Stambolziev officially signed with the Panathinaikos under-21 team,[12] becoming teammates and roommates with Giorgos Machlelis[13] (who would go on to play alongside him for Niki Volos in 2014). Stambolziev featured for the club's first-team in a pre-season friendly and then soon after was loaned out to AO Kavala, joining Australians Zeljko Kalac, Craig Moore, Andreas Govas and Apostolos Giannou.[14] Upon his return to Panathinaikos, he joined the club's reserve-team for the 2010–11 Superleague Greece season, however, he would gain no appearances for the Panathinaikos first-team.

In July 2011, Stambolziev trialled with Birmingham City, where he played on the left-wing in a 1–1 draw in a friendly against Worcester City.[15]

He then trialled with Stoke City, participating in a friendly match against Newcastle Town which saw him score the first goal of Stoke's respective 6–0 win on 20 July 2011.[16] Satmbolziev again played for Stoke City in a 1–0 friendly loss to Aldershot Town on 23 July.[17]

On 23 August 2011, Stambolziev trialled for former club Bristol City, where he featured in a 4–0 friendly win against Reading.[18] Ultimately, he was unable to sign a contract with any of the clubs.

In September 2011 Stambolziev signed a one-year contract with Gamma Ethniki side AO Proodeftiki. Stambolziev's first league appearance in the 2011–12 Football League 2 season came in a 1–1 home draw against Kalamata on 27 November, Stambolziev had been substituted onto the field in the 60th minute.[19] He debuted in the 2011–12 Greek Football Cup in a 5–0 loss to Asteras Tripolis, where he was substituted onto the field in the 68th minute.[20][21]

In January 2012 Stamvbolziev was transferred to Greek Football League side Thrasyvoulos for the remainder of the 2011–12 season. Stambolziev debuted for Thrasyvoulos in the 2011–12 Greek Football Cup, in a 3–0 loss against Olympiakos Piraeus on 11 January.[22][23] His first league appearance came in a 2–1 away win against Panserraikos on 14 January, where Stambolziev had scored Thrasyvoulos first goal after 16 minutes.[24]

In July 2012, Stambolziev signed with Cypriot First Division side Olympiakos Nicosia on a free transfer for the 2012–13 season.

Stambolziev signed for AEK Kouklia F.C. for the 2013–14 season and scored in his debut.

On 21 June 2014, it was reported that Stambolziev had joined newly promoted Superleague Greece club Niki Volos, who had finished in first place of the 2013–14 Football League play-offs, for the 2014–15 Superleague Greece. Stambolziev arrived at the club alongside former teammate Giorgos Machlelis, and also Giorgos Niklitsiotis.[25] It was the first time in three seasons that Stambolziev would return to Greece's respective Superleague, having previously been present at Panathinaikos until the conclusion of the 2010–11 season.

On 21 January 2015, Stambolziev signed for Sydney FC as an injury replacement for Corey Gameiro.[26] Stambolziev scored the winning goal in a 4–3 win against Newcastle Jets. On 3 June 2015, a squad listing of Sydney FC's retained players was released with the absence of Stambolziev's name, and it was thought that he would no longer remain at the club. However, on 16 June 2015, it was announced that he had signed a new one-year contract that would keep him at Sydney FC until the end of the 2015–16 season. At the conclusion of the season he was not offered a new contract.[27]

On 5 August 2016, Stambolziev signed for Kidderminster Harriers [28][29]

In January 2017, Robert Stambolziev signed with Cypriot Second Division side PAEEK on a short term deal until the end of the season.

In April 2017,[30] Stambolziev joined former club Preston Lions in Victorian State League Division 1, Australia's regionalised third division.[31] On 28 May 2017, he scored a hat-trick on his debut against Western Suburbs as Preston Lions came back from trailing to win the fixture 3–2.[32] One week later, Stambolziev scored another hat-trick against Yarraville as Preston Lions again came back from behind to win the fixture 3–0 on 3 June 2017. One more fixture went by and Stambolziev would score a double for Preston Lions as they defeated Westgate 7–0 on 11 June 2017, totalling to eight goals in three consecutive appearances.[33] He scored nine goals in eight matches before making his last appearance for the club on 16 July 2017.[34]

On 27 May 2017, a day before the opening of the mid-season transfer window, National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 club Altona Magic SC announced the signing of Stambolziev for the remainder of the season. Stambolziev scored his first Magic goal on 10 June 2018, the first in a 2-1 win over Werribee City FC.[35]

Panathinaikos

• Superleague Greece: Runners-up, 1
  • 2010–11

Australia

• Under-20 International Cor Groenewegen Tournament: 1
  • 2009