AI DNA Similarity
Best Alternatives to Stefan Velkov
Players most similar to Stefan Velkov (Defender, N/A) — ranked by AI DNA similarity score across playing style, pressing intensity, and tactical fit.
Playing Style Analysis
A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as a regular goalscorer (0.20 goals/90), commanding in the air (7.8 clearances/90), strong in aerial duels (4.7 aerials won/90) and uses long balls frequently (7.3/90). The three most similar players to Stefan Velkov by playing style are:
- Luka Vuskovic(98% match) — A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as a regular goalscorer (0.21 goals/90), commanding in the air (9.1 clearances/90), wins the physical battle (69% duel success), central to possession (76 touches/90), dominant in the air (5.5 aerials won/90, 75%), uses long balls frequently (7.5/90) and active off the ball (2.2 press score/90), contributing to defensive transitions.
- Leo Østigård(98% match) — A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as a regular goalscorer (0.23 goals/90), commanding in the air (7.6 clearances/90), meticulous in distribution (89% pass accuracy), wins the physical battle (66% duel success), central to possession (73 touches/90), dominant in the air (3.9 aerials won/90, 71%) and uses long balls frequently (5.5/90).
- Dan Ballard(98% match) — A Ball-Playing CB. Statistically, he stands out as commanding in the air (8.1 clearances/90), wins the physical battle (60% duel success), strong in aerial duels (4.5 aerials won/90) and uses long balls frequently (6.8/90).
Similarity is calculated using per-90 performance data across multiple playing style dimensions. How Player DNA matching works →
Similar Players — Ranked by DNA Similarity
#1
L
Luka Vuskovic
Hamburger SV · Bundesliga
Croatia19yContract 2026
Tkl/900.87
KP/900.43
Ball-Playing CBBall-Playing
Last 5: ↑ Hot98% match
€40.0M
#2
L
Leo Østigård
Genoa · Serie A
Norway26yContract 2026
Tkl/901.32
KP/900.33
Ball-Playing CBBall-Playing
Last 5: ↓ Dip98% match
€10.0M
#3
D
Dan Ballard
Sunderland · Premier League
Northern Ireland26yContract 2028
Tkl/901.39
KP/900.72
Ball-Playing CBAerial
Last 5: → Stable98% match
€20.0M
#4
D
Danny Bakker
Telstar · Eredivisie
Netherlands31yContract 2026
Tkl/901.39
KP/900.63
Ball-Playing CBAerial
Last 5: ↑ Hot98% match
N/A
#5
A
Abdul Mumin
Rayo Vallecano · La Liga
Ghana27yContract 2026
Tkl/901.82
KP/900.05
Ball-Playing CBAerial
98% match
€4.0M
#6
C
Casper Widell
Excelsior · Eredivisie
Sweden22yContract 2026
Tkl/901.11
KP/900.30
Ball-Playing CBAerial
Last 5: → Stable98% match
N/A
#7
J
John Neeskens
FC Eindhoven · Eredivisie
United States32y
Tkl/900.93
KP/900.23
Ball-Playing CBAerial
Last 5: ↑ Hot98% match
N/A
#8
J
Jules Van Bost
TOP Oss · Eredivisie
Belgium23y
Tkl/901.36
KP/900.10
Ball-Playing CBAerial
98% match
N/A
#9
J
Jordy Gillekens
Wehen Wiesbaden · Bundesliga
Belgium26y
Tkl/900.93
KP/900.31
Ball-Playing CBAerial
98% match
N/A
#10
M
Matisse Didden
FC Utrecht · Eredivisie
Belgium24y
Tkl/901.31
KP/900.40
Ball-Playing CBAerial
Last 5: → Stable98% match
N/A
#11
J
Jacob Vetter
Middelfart · Superliga
Denmark27y
Tkl/901.80
KP/900.60
Ball-Playing CBAerial
98% match
N/A
#12
M
Miguel Nóbrega
Vitória Guimarães · Liga Portugal
Portugal25yContract 2028
Tkl/900.69
KP/900.00
Ball-Playing CBAerial
98% match
N/A
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Ask AI: Why are these players similar?
Our 768-dimension Player DNA model matches playing style, physical profile, pressing intensity, and tactical fit. Ask the AI to explain exactly what makes these players statistically similar to Stefan Velkov.
Ask AI about Stefan Velkov →Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best alternatives to Stefan Velkov?▼
The top alternatives to Stefan Velkov based on AI DNA playing style analysis include: Luka Vuskovic, Leo Østigård, Dan Ballard, Danny Bakker, Abdul Mumin. These players were matched using Rising Transfers' 768-dimension DNA model across playing style, pressing intensity, and tactical fit — not just position or market value.
Which players are similar to Stefan Velkov in 2026?▼
Players with a similar profile to Stefan Velkov in 2026 include Luka Vuskovic (€40.0M), Leo Østigård (€10.0M), Dan Ballard (€20.0M). For a deeper DNA-level comparison including playing style, physical attributes, and tactical fit, ask Rising Transfers' AI directly.
What position does Stefan Velkov play and who plays similarly?▼
Stefan Velkov plays as a Defender. Players with a comparable positional profile include Luka Vuskovic (Croatia, €40.0M); Leo Østigård (Norway, €10.0M); Dan Ballard (Northern Ireland, €20.0M); Danny Bakker (Netherlands, N/A).
How does Rising Transfers find similar players?▼
Rising Transfers uses a proprietary 768-dimension Player DNA model trained on 3.2 million match events. Each player is represented as a vector across 35+ per-90 metrics including pressing intensity, passing footprint, dribbling profile, and defensive contribution. Similarity is measured using cosine distance — the same technique used in state-of-the-art AI systems — making it the most precise player comparison tool available publicly.