Boban Nikolov (Macedonian: Бобан Николов; born 28 July 1994) is a Macedonian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for 1. MFL club Vardar.

Club career

Viitorul Constanța

On 8 March 2013, Nikolov made his debut for Viitorul Constanța in the Liga I, in a 4–1 defeat to Gaz Metan Mediaș. On 19 May of the same year, he scored his first Liga I goal in a 5–2 win against Steaua București.

Lecce

On 19 January 2021 he was signed by Italian Serie B club Lecce.

Sheriff Tiraspol

Seven months later, on 20 August 2021, he signed for Moldovan National Division club Sheriff Tiraspol.

FCSB

On 17 September 2022, Nikolov signed for Liga I club FCSB on a one-year deal, with an option to extend for a further year.

International career

On 29 May 2016, Nikolov made his international debut against Azerbaijan, and on 24 March 2017 he scored his first goal in the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein. He was also a regular in the U21 and U19 categories, where he also served as captain. As of April 2020,[update] he has earned a total of 22 caps, scoring 2 goals. He represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2020, their first major tournament.

Personal life

Boban Nikolov is an ethnic Aromanian, and he speaks Aromanian.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 7 December 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Viitorul Constanța2012–13Liga I5100——51
2013–14Liga I18020——200
2014–15Liga I15110——161
Total38230——412
Vardar2015–161. MFL201201010241
2016–171. MFL3473210—389
2017–181. MFL10000123—223
Total64852143108413
Fehérvár2017–18Nemzeti Bajnokság I133———133
2018–19Nemzeti Bajnokság I29281140—513
2019–20Nemzeti Bajnokság I2214230—293
2020–21Nemzeti Bajnokság I910041—132
Total737123211—10611
Lecce2020–21Serie B15000——150
Sheriff Tiraspol2021–22Moldovan National Division1431071—224
FCSB2022–23Liga I11020——130
Kisvárda2023–24Nemzeti Bajnokság I22141——262
Borac Banja Luka2024–25Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina270509010420
Farul Constanța2025–26Liga I6010——70
Vardar2025–261. MFL0000——00
Career total257213365152034332

International

As of match played 20 November 2022

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
North Macedonia
201620
201741
201870
201991
202070
2021111
202281
Total484

As of match played 5 June 2022. North Macedonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Nikolov goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
124 March 2017Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein3Liechtenstein1–03–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
219 November 2019Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, North Macedonia22Israel1–01–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
38 October 2021Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein37Liechtenstein3–04–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
45 June 2022Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar44Gibraltar2–02–02022–23 UEFA Nations League C

Honours

Vardar

Fehérvár

Sheriff Tiraspol

Borac Banja Luka

External links