But he found it difficult to break into the first team due to the consistency of Slavčo Georgievski and Pavle Popara.
In June 2008 Velev signed a two-year contract with Lokomotiv Stara Zagora.
He made his B PFG and Lokomotiv debut on 9 August in a home 1–0 against Shumen, scoring the goal of the win.
[3] He left the club at the end of the 2017–18 season when his contract expired.
[5] Velev earned his first cap for Bulgaria on 29 May 2012, after coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 loss against Turkey in an exhibition game.