Clubless Joël Zwarts becomes Bulgarian top scorer at CSKA Sofia

Earlier this year Joël Zwarts, a 26‑year‑old former Feyenoord talent, was without a club; now he is a striker for CSKA Sofia and the top scorer of Bulgaria, an unexpected turn that first surprised his agent when Lokomotiv Plovdiv got in touch. Rob Aarts, journalist at VI, noted that the transformation took place within a few months.

After a period without a club, Zwarts signed two years ago with VfL Osnabrück. The move turned out to be unlucky; a season full of injuries led to a mutual contract termination. Zwarts then stayed at home, without a new club.

From Osnabrück to CSKA Sofia

The aftermath of Brexit blocked a possible transfer to Scotland, while a proposed move to Portugal also fell through. His name then appeared on the radar of SC Heerenveen and several clubs from the Keuken Kampioen Division. To stay fit, he trained for a week at Roda JC, but this remained a temporary stopover.

When Lokomotiv Plovdiv got in touch, Zwarts responded with the question: ‘What do I have to do there?’ The 26‑year‑old, who initially had no club, was initially skeptical. He later explained: ‘But I certainly didn’t come from a very nice situation.’ Zwarts’s agent, who had previously been surprised, now saw an opportunity.

Top scorer in Bulgaria

In February Zwarts received a call from Sofia and signed with CSKA Sofia. Since then he has been the striker of the Bulgarian sub‑topper and has been crowned the top scorer of the country. The club outlined a plan to raise his market value, with the intention of later selling him for a profit.

The journey of a clubless player to the top of the Bulgarian scorers shows Zwarts’s resilience. His next step remains uncertain, but his recent form makes him an attractive option for clubs looking for a productive striker.