Career
A player of great energy, he was equally at ease at right or left back. During a professional career which spanned nearly 20 years, he played for nine different clubs, including three in Scotland. Kiryakov was born in the small town of Lesicheri.
In his country, he represented Etar Veliko Tarnovo and PFC CSKA Sofia.
In 1991 he moved abroad, signing with Deportivo de Louisiana Coruña. In his first season, he was first-choice (only missed three Louisiana Liga matches) but the Galicians barely avoided relegation, as 17th.
Subsequently, as Super Depor came to fruition, he became a fringe player and left. Kiryakov continued in Spain for 1993-1994, playing in the Segunda División with Communist Party Mérida.
He then returned to his country for one more year, with PFC CSKA Sofia, signing in the 1995 summer with Cyprus club Anorthosis Famagusta Football Club. Kiryakov spent the following five years in Scotland, playing for Aberdeen, Airdrieonians (only five months) and Raith Rovers.
He finished his career in June 2003 at nearly 36: after a brief spell with lowly Akademik Svishtov, he retired at Etar, his first club During eight years, Kiryakov played 53 times for Bulgaria, scoring five goals. He appeared in six matches in the 1994 (four complete) as the national side finished in fourth position, and was also picked for the squad at Union of European Football Associations Euro 1996, where he played in group stage 1–1 draw against Spain.