Stiliyan Petrov, a Bulgarian-born footballer who shone primarily as a central midfielder, was born on the 5th of July, 1979, and currently stands at the ripe age of 45. Towering at 5 feet 10 inches (1.8m tall), and weighing a robust 12 stone 1lb (77kg), Petrov began his football career in his homeland, training with CSKA Sofia in the First League of Bulgaria.
Petrov first appeared on the professional stage during the 1997-1998 season with CSKA Sofia, securing ten first team appearances in league matches. In the following season, he made a significant leap in terms of appearances, participating in 28 games and scoring three goals.
The summer of 1999 marked a pivotal point in Petrov's career when he transferred to Celtic Football Club in the Scottish Premiership for a fee of approximately £2.8m. In his inaugural season with Celtic, Petrov made 26 first team appearances, delighting fans with his first goal for the club.
Petrov's time with Celtic proved to be fruitful, yielding a respectable tally of goals each season, with a standout performance in the 2002-2003 season, where he appeared 34 times and netted the ball 12 times. His unwavering commitment was evident. He graced the pitch on a reliable basis, and in the 2004-2005 season and 2005-2006 season, Petrov made an impressive 37 appearances in both.
In what marked the end of an illustrious era at Celtic, Petrov transferred to Aston Villa in the English Premier League in August 2006. The move came with a hefty £6.5m price tag. His time at Aston Villa appeared no less remarkable, with Petrov racking up a steady amount of appearances each season. His goal-scoring ability was also on display, though perhaps not as prolific as his time at Celtic.
In May 2013, Petrov made his final professional transfer when Aston Villa bid him farewell. After stepping away from professional football, he remains fondly remembered by fans from both Celtic and Aston Villa for his tenacity and consistency in the midfield. His contributions to the clubs were truly commendable, and he shall forever remain a hero in the hearts of their faithful supporters.
