Career
On club level, he played for, Prince Kiril Sofia and Spartak Sofia. Playing 15 times for Bulgaria during the 1940s and 1950s, Sokolov represented them at the 1952 Summer Olympics. Sokolov was considered one of the Eastern Europe"s best goalkeepers during his career.
He is regarded as the first goalkeeper who began to leave the goal line like modern keepers and even Lev Yashin said Sokolov was his inspiration.
He had good reflexes and sense of positioning but above all he"s remembered for his innovative style of play. Club career Sokolov started his career with Football Club Bulgaria Sofia.
In 1939 he joined. After six first-team games (three for State Championship and three for Tsar"s Cup) Sokolov moved to Spartak Sofia.
Then he played for Prince Kiril Sofia, before returned to Levski in 1944. On 1 June 1947, Sokolov saved a crucial penalty in the Bulgarian Cup final against Botev Plovdiv to help Levski beat 1–0.
International career Sokolov made his first appearance for the Bulgarian national team on 6 July 1947, at the age of 29, in a 3–2 home loss against Romania for the Balkan Cup. He kept four clean sheets during his time with the national team
Sokolov was included in the Bulgarian squad for 1952 Summer Olympics, and played in a 2–1 loss against Soviet Union on 15 July.
The last of his 15 caps came in the 1954 World Cup qualifier against Czechoslovakia on 8 November 1953, which ended 0–0.