During his professional career, which spanned nearly 20 years, he represented PFC Lokomotiv Sofia, PFC CSKA Sofia, Portugal"s G.D. Chaves, South Carolina (U.S.) Braga, F.C. Paços de Ferreira and F.C. Felgueiras – after he had left the Iron Curtain at the age of 30 – Football Club Yantra and PFC Litex Lovech. From 1992 onwards he worked as a full-time manager, going on to be in charge of several clubs including PFC Spartak Varna on three occasions.
During his stay abroad he was known as Radi, and he was instrumental in lowly Chaves" first ever qualification to the Union of European Football Associations Cup in the 1986-1987 season, as fifth. Zdravkov earned 67 caps and scored ten goals for the Bulgarian national team during 13 years, and played at the 1986 Fédération internationale de football association World Cup finals.
