Stiliyan Ayoshev Petrov is a retired Bulgarian professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
He began his career at CSKA Sofia before moving to Celtic in 1999, where he won 10 major trophies, including four Scottish Premiership titles.
In 2006, Petrov moved to Aston Villa in the English Premier League, following former manager Martin O’Neill.
He later became club captain and was inducted into Aston Villa’s Hall of Fame in 2013, after making 219 competitive appearances for the club.
File
- Full name: Stiliyan Alyosav Petrov
- Stage name: Stiliyan Petrov
- Date of birth: July 5, 1979
- Age: 45 years old
- Place of birth: Montana, Bulgaria
- Nationality: Bulgaria
- Occupation: former Bulgarian football player
- Height: 1.8 m
- Parents: Svetla Sredkova and Alyosha Petrov
- Siblings: Ivan Petrov
- Spouse: Paulina Petrova (d. 2001)
- Children: Stiliyan Petrov Jr. and Christian Petrov
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: £10 million ($12.5 million)
Early life and education
Stiliyan Alyoshev Petrov was born on July 5, 1979 in Montana, Bulgaria, to Svetla Sredkova and Alyosha Petrov. He has a younger brother named Ivan Petrov. Petrov pursued an education in management and coaching, which played an important role in his post-football career.
He received his UEFA Professional Coaching Licence, a prestigious qualification for football coaches, and completed a Master’s Degree in Sports Management through UEFA in 2020. Petrov is of Bulgarian ethnicity, although his religious beliefs are not made public.
Career
Stiliyan Petrov’s professional journey began when he was signed by Celtic in the summer of 1999 for a transfer fee of £2.8 million, a significant investment by coach John Barnes. The young midfielder made an immediate impact, playing a key role in Celtic’s successful season, which included winning the League Cup.
This marked his second major honor and it set the stage for a very successful tenure at the club. In his second season, under the management of Martin O’Neill, Petrov’s performances improved significantly, helping Celtic win the treble.
He also became a regular goalscorer, netting seven times in 28 league appearances, including one in a famous 6–2 win over Rangers. His outstanding performance earned him the SPFA Young Player of the Year award, making him the first foreign player to receive the honour.
In 2006, after Celtic rejected a written transfer request from Petrov, he was expected to move to the Premier League. His former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill, took charge of Aston Villa, and the two reunited when Petrov completed a transfer to Villa Park on 30 August 2006.
The move was worth £6.5 million and Petrov became O’Neill’s first signing for Villa. During his time at Villa, Petrov made a significant impact, eventually becoming the club’s captain. He remained a key figure in Villa’s midfield, making 219 appearances and establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players during his tenure.
Petrov’s international career with Bulgaria began in December 1998 when he debuted as a substitute in a friendly match against Morocco. Despite the loss, Petrov’s performance would soon catapult him to international prominence.
He scored his first goal for Bulgaria in a friendly match against Belarus in March 2000, helping his country win 4–1. Over the years, Petrov has become an integral part of the Bulgarian national team, earning a total of 105 caps, making him the most capped player in the country’s history.
In March 2012, Petrov’s career faced an unexpected challenge when he was diagnosed with acute leukemia. The diagnosis put his playing career on hold as he focused on treatment, but this was ultimately successful.
After announcing his retirement from football in May 2013, Petrov turned to coaching. He rejoined Aston Villa in a coaching role in 2015, working with both the youth and first team teams. Petrov’s transition into coaching was further supported by the completion of his UEFA Pro coaching license and a master’s degree in Sports Management, which he completed in 2020.
Outside of football, Petrov also pursues business ventures, including involvement in Player No. 4, a business that specializes in helping former players transition into retirement.
He works alongside other former players such as Gareth Farrelly, Emile Heskey and Gaizka Mendieta to provide guidance and support. Additionally, Petrov appeared as a special guest on the ninth series of Russell Howard’s Good News in December 2014, further demonstrating his versatility and constant presence in the eye. public.
Social Media
Instagram handle: @stanpetrov19
Personal life
Stiliyan Petrov is married to Paulina, a former economics student from Sofia. The couple married in 2001 and have been together for more than two decades. They have two sons, Kristiyan and Stiliyan Jr.
Net worth
Stiliyan Petrov’s net worth is estimated to be around £10 million ($12.5 million) as of 2024. His wealth largely comes from his successful football career, which includes lucrative contracts with Celtic and Aston Villa.
Additionally, Petrov’s income was increased by endorsements and his participation in charity matches after retiring from professional football.
