Brave as a Lion Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22464215 Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has retired from football as he continues his fight against leukaemia. The Bulgarian midfielder, 33, was diagnosed in March 2012 but is now in remission. "It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement," he said. "The emotions are overwhelming, but the continued support of family, friends and the great people I have come to know will make it easier for me to move on from the only life I've ever known." Petrov joined Villa in 2006 from Celtic for £6.5m. He added: "That I am ready to embrace new challenges will make this process much easier. "Since being diagnosed with acute leukaemia, I have come to understand and appreciate the way in which this disease impacts the lives of so many people. "I can help and I want to help and, in setting up a foundation to help address the issues involved when people are diagnosed with this illness, I hope to make a difference. "This will be my new challenge, one I will face with all the enthusiasm, energy and drive with which I have faced every single challenge. "For the life I've lived in football, I will always be incredibly grateful. For the opportunity this crazy thing that happened in my life has given me, I also feel grateful in a strange kind of way. "This crazy thing, somehow, has touched people and I want to try to channel this in a positive way. This will be the greatest challenge of my life." You were a cracking player Stan all the best. I hope you have a long, healthy and happy retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Co.Down Hibee Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 very good player, sad to hear him retire but hope he has a long and healthy life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~~~ Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 What a great player he was for us, It's good to see he'll be spending his time doing charity work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Distant Doonhamer Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 All the best to him. Decent player. Keep well Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 He'll be missed but obviously his battle is more important than kicking a ball around. Wish him all the best. Apparently, he's joining in the team "lap of appreciation" after the game tomorrow which'll be moving I expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy85 Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Take it Villa will be looking for some sort of compo? How many years did he have left on his contract? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 This is the last year of his contract anyway. Dunno if we get any insurance money for the time he's been out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~~~ Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Hopefully Celtic and Villa can arrange a friendly to help raise some money for charity http://youtu.be/6YKiRSFIP_s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 It's been mentioned before. It'd be a good idea I reckon. There's some sort of tribute match already between Villa Old Stars and a Bulgaria Old Stars/Celebs team including their former Prime Minister taking place in Sofia and being shown on Bulgarian telly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audaces Fortuna Juvat Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Delighted to hear he is in remission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Taken the easy way out IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Am I missing the joke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audaces Fortuna Juvat Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 If you find it then please let me know............................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbrickbeforebreezeblock Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Good luck to him, and I hope he makes a full recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 He's been given a role helping Sid Cowans develop the Academy kids. Good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 He says he's now out of retirement and wants to play again. Must be a massive long shot at 36 but it would be brilliant to have him play for us again, even if just in a cameo role for the last ten minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thereisalight.. Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 He's probably still better creatively than anyone Villa or Celtic have atm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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