Nikola Chivarov Tzanev (born 23 December 1996) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League One club Northampton Town.

[4] He moved to join the academy at Brentford and progressed through the ranks to sign a Youth Development contract in 2013, which enabled him to continue his education through to his A-levels.

[17] On 18 January 2019, Tzanev joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Potters Bar Town on a one-month loan,[20] which was subsequently extended until the end of the season.

[22] Having signed a contract extension in February 2019,[21] injury to first-choice goalkeeper Nathan Trott allowed Tzanev to make his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2019–20 season,[23] in a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United.

[24] Tzanev made three further appearances before spending the remainder of the season away on loan at National League club Sutton United,[24] whom he joined on 15 November 2019.

[17][28][29] An injury suffered by Walker in March 2021 allowed Tzanev to break into the starting lineup for the first time in his career with the club and he finished the season with 19 appearances.

[40] Tzanev won his maiden call up to the New Zealand U20 squad for two friendlies versus Uzbekistan in April 2015 and made his debut in the second match,[41] playing the full 90 minutes.