Edu Gaspar has been confirmed as a member of Levski Sofia’s new five-person board of directors following his recent departure from Nottingham Forest.
The Bulgarian club have officially announced the former Arsenal player and director’s arrival, though they have not specified his exact role within the board.
It is understood that Edu will be part of the decision-making process to elect a new chairman and executive director at the club.
The appointment comes just one week after Edu officially left his position as global head of football at Nottingham Forest, making the transition remarkably swift.
Speaking to the media following his appointment, Edu expressed genuine enthusiasm about the challenge that awaits him in Bulgaria.
“I am sure that I can contribute to this project,” Edu said. “For me, it is a new country, new friends, a new owner. That makes me excited. That is why I am here. I am very excited to be part of this project.”
Edu was keen to highlight the platform already in place at Levski Sofia, pointing to their recent championship success and European participation as strong foundations.
“We have just become champions and are playing in the Europa League. We are not starting from scratch. We are doing well, but we need to take the best possible steps to develop further,” he added.
The Brazilian-born football executive also struck a careful tone about managing expectations while stressing the club must continuously improve its standards season by season.
“We have to have ambition, but we also have to be realistic. We cannot promise things that we cannot fulfill. Every year this club has to think about how to become better. Every season we have to be better and make better transfers. To have more points. That is how we will reach the highest level.”
Edu was officially appointed at Nottingham Forest in July 2025, but reports emerged as early as March 2026 suggesting an internal decision had already been made to part ways with him.
ESPN’s Tom Hamilton reported that Edu played no active role in Forest’s summer transfer window, consistent with earlier reports that he had been told to stay away from the club and training ground.
His time at Forest was therefore brief and turbulent, representing a significant contrast to his long and impactful tenure as Arsenal’s sporting director.
With Levski Sofia set to kick off their Europa League campaign at home to RB Salzburg on Thursday, September 17th, Edu’s new chapter begins at a pivotal and exciting moment for the club.
