Stiliyan Petrov

Born in Montana, Petrov started to play football in the local team FC Montana. At the age of 18 he was spotted by scout and coach Dimitar Penev and signed with CSKA Sofia for fee of €30,000.{{cite news | url = http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/celtic/239057-petrov-set-for-100th-cap/ | title = Petrov set for 100th cap | publisher = STV.tv | date = 26 March 2011 | access-date = 21 April 2012 | archive-date = 6 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606061937/http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/celtic/239057-petrov-set-for-100th-cap/ | url-status = dead }} With his new club, he won the Bulgarian Championship in 1997 and the national cup in 1997 and 1999.

Petrov was signed in the summer of 1999 by John Barnes for a fee of £2.8 million.{{cite web |url= http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11787/2236303/Petrov-close-to-new-deal |title=Petrov Close To New Deal |first=Alex |last=Livie |work=Sky Sports |access-date=23 May 2013}} The teenager featured prominently in a season where he won the League Cup with Celtic,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/683061.stm |title=Celtic triumph in cup final |publisher=BBC |date=20 March 2000 |access-date=21 April 2020}} his second major honour and the first of many with Celtic. Despite the happy end to the season Petrov had a very hard time starting with the club. He was homesick and lonely at the start, and could not speak English. This was made worse by the manager playing him out of position at right back. Eventually, he improved his English by working in a friend's burger van.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/stiliyan-petrov-bulgars-burgers-and-banter-423833.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/stiliyan-petrov-bulgars-burgers-and-banter-423833.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London | newspaper=The Independent | title=Stiliyan Petrov: Bulgars, burgers and banter | date=11 November 2006}} This hard work and determination to fit in showed in his performances for the club.

After a good first season with Celtic he enjoyed a brilliant second season under Martin O'Neill's treble winning side, becoming a regular scorer netting 7 league goals in 28 appearances, one of which was in Celtic's 6–2 victory over Rangers.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/898414.stm |title=Celtic v Rangers clockwatch |work=BBC News |date=27 August 2000 |publisher=BBC |location=London |access-date=3 April 2012}} He also became the first foreign player to win the SPFA Young Player of the Year award.{{cite web|url=http://www.newstalk.ie/Petrov-announces-retirement-from-football |title=Petrov announces retirement from football |work=Newstalk |access-date=6 August 2013}} However he missed the end of the season after breaking his leg in a league game against St Johnstone and missed both the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup finals as a result.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1222229.stm |title=Petrov facing lengthy lay-off |publisher=BBC |date=15 March 2001 |access-date=19 April 2020}}

The following season, 2001–02, Petrov made his return from injury against Dunfermline Athletic in September,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/1529710.stm |title=Moravcik kills Pars challenge |publisher=BBC |date=8 September 2001 |access-date=19 April 2020}} and then really came into form for Celtic, being described as a dynamic, hardworking box-to-box midfielder, and winning his second SPL medal. He was shortlisted SPFA Player of the Year in 2002.{{ cite news | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/20020429/801/0048 | title = Lorenzo Amoruso and Kevin McNaughton are the prize guys | newspaper = Aberdeen Press and Journal | date = 29 April 2002 | access-date = 1 May 2022 | url-access=subscription | via = British Newspaper Archive }}

In his fourth season with Celtic, Petrov continued his good form and was being linked to some of the top clubs in Europe{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11671_2250171,00.html |title=Skysports.com |publisher=Skysports.com }} but after protracted contract talks he eventually agreed a new deal with Celtic. This was his highest ever goalscoring season, netting 14 in 50 appearances. He also got to the only European final of his career, getting a runner's up medal in the UEFA Cup.

In his next two seasons for Celtic he continued to be an essential player making 105 appearances and scoring 19 goals. He won the Scottish Cup twice in this time (scoring in the 2004 final){{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3736209.stm|title=Larsson caps Celtic triumph |publisher=BBC |date=22 May 2004 |access-date=21 April 2020}} along with his third SPL medal. The 2004–05 season was Martin O'Neill's last at Celtic, although Stiliyan Petrov would later join him at Aston Villa. The season also saw Petrov becoming the third player to win the Celtic Player of The Year award.

The 2005–06 season was a time of great change for Celtic. Martin O'Neill, the club's most successful manager in 20 years, left and new manager Gordon Strachan came in. Things started badly for Celtic as they lost 5–0 to Slovakian minnows Artmedia Bratislava in Strachan's first match.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4718461.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Artmedia 5–0 Celtic | date=27 July 2005}} Celtic then managed to throw away a 3–1 lead over Motherwell to draw Strachan's first league match 4–4,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4728367.stm |publisher=BBC Sport | title=Motherwell 4–4 Celtic | date=30 July 2005}} although Petrov later helped Celtic exact revenge over the Fir Park side by scoring his first hat-trick in a 5–0 demolition in October that year. Celtic overcame their bad start to the campaign to win the SPL and League Cup double.

The 2005–06 season proved to be his last at Celtic as he re-united with former manager Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa for a fee of £6.5 million (rising to £8 million after clauses).{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_2387547,00.html |title=Skysports.com |publisher=Skysports.com }} He only made 3 appearances for Celtic before leaving in the summer transfer window.

In all, Petrov made 312 appearances for Celtic over seven years, scoring 55 goals. He won the SPL four times and also won both the Scottish and Scottish League Cup 3 times each. He was the tenth most prolific goalscorer in the SPL{{cite web |url=http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=510403 |title=Astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk |publisher=Astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk |access-date=8 May 2010 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201043/http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=510403 |url-status=dead }} (55 goals) when he left Celtic. Petrov was also shortlisted for the SPFA Players' Player of the Year three times as a Celtic player.{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1957296.stm | title=Amoruso is players' choice | publisher=BBC | work = BBC News | date=29 April 2002 | access-date=13 May 2019}}{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-04-26/sutton-and-pearson-earn-celtic-award-double/176238 | title=Sutton and Pearson earn Celtic award double | publisher=ABC News | date=26 April 2004 | access-date=12 May 2019}}{{cite web | url = https://www.scotsman.com/sport/history-man-maloney-wins-double-award-2474745 | title = History man Maloney wins double award | newspaper = The Scotsman | date=1 May 2006 | access-date=13 May 2019}}

File:Stiliyan Petrov.JPG in 2008]]

In April 2006, Celtic rejected a written transfer request submitted by Petrov. He was subsequently linked with a transfer to move to Aston Villa who were managed by former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill. On 30 August 2006, 27-year-old Petrov completed his move to Villa Park on a four-year deal worth £6.5 million, becoming O'Neill's first signing for Villa. His debut was against West Ham United on 10 September. The game finished 1–1. In 2007, Petrov changed his shirt number from 11 to 19. Petrov scored his first Villa goal in a 2–2 draw against Sheffield United on 11 December 2006, but suffered patchy form throughout his first two seasons at the club.

He scored a volley from near the halfway line against already relegated Derby County on 12 April 2008. This was his first goal of the season and Villa won 6–0. This goal was marked as a possible candidate for "goal of the season". It was also confirmed to be the furthest out recorded goal by an Aston Villa player since the club was formed.

The 2008–09 season saw Petrov's form improve considerably as he became a first team regular, starting Villa's six Premier League games in a row. He was named captain for the first time in the UEFA Cup game against the Bulgarian Litex Lovech on 2 October 2008 and also scored one of the goals in the game.

In May 2009, Petrov was named both Aston Villa's supporters' "Player of the Year" and "Players' Player of the Year" for the 2008–09 season, after his notable consistency in midfield throughout the season.{{cite web |author=Bill Howell |url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2009/05/13/stiliyan-petrov-wins-aston-villa-player-of-year-award-double-97319-23612099/ |title="Stiliyan Petrov wins Aston Villa player of year award double" Birmingham Mail |publisher=Birminghammail.net |access-date=14 May 2009 |archive-date=15 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515022412/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2009/05/13/stiliyan-petrov-wins-aston-villa-player-of-year-award-double-97319-23612099/ |url-status=dead }} On 20 May 2009 he signed a new four-year deal that is set to keep him at the club until 2013.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8059256.stm|title=Petrov signs new Villa contract |date=20 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 May 2009}}

Following the retirement of captain Martin Laursen, Petrov stated that leading a "great club with a long tradition and history" would be "a great honour".{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-fc-news/2009/05/17/national-satisfaction-inspired-stiliyan-petrov-at-aston-villa-66331-23640504/ |title=Sundaymercury.net |publisher=Sundaymercury.net |date=17 May 2009 }} Petrov became Villa captain in the summer of 2009 and led the team to sixth place in the Premier league, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup in his first season holding the armband.{{cite news|last=Henson|first=Mike|title=Stiliyan Petrov in profile: Aston Villa's Bulgarian captain|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17566291|access-date=31 March 2012}}

Petrov continued to retain the Villa captaincy after the appointment of Gérard Houllier as manager of the club. On 23 October 2010, he sustained a knee injury in the 1–0 away loss against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. On 26 December 2010, Petrov returned to first team action, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jonathan Hogg in the 2–1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. On 26 February 2011, Petrov made his 150th premier league appearance for Aston Villa at Villa Park, when he came on as a second-half substitute in the 76th minute for Robert Pires in the 4–1 win over Blackburn Rovers. On 10 September 2011, Petrov scored his first goal of the season away at Everton. On 29 October 2011, Petrov made his 200th appearance for Aston Villa in the Premier League clash with Sunderland, and scored the opening goal in a 2–2 draw.

Petrov announced his retirement from football on 9 May 2013, due to his leukaemia.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22464215 |title=Stiliyan Petrov retires from football |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2013 |access-date=9 May 2013}}

On 26 May 2013, footballers who had represented the Bulgaria national side (including Hristo Stoichkov, Dimitar Berbatov and Nasko Sirakov) won 4–2 against a selection that featured Aston Villa veterans like Mark Kinsella and Bryan Small in an exhibition game that took place at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia and had been organised to honour Petrov's achievements.{{cite news |url=http://topsport.ibox.bg/news/id_667440297|title=Звездите на България играха за Стилиян Петров, надвиха ветераните на Астън Вила |publisher=topsport.bg |date=26 May 2013 |access-date=26 May 2013}}

In October 2014, Petrov began playing again for his local Sunday League Over-35s side Wychall Wanderers{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/stiliyan-petrov-kits-out-new-7973159|title=Stiliyan Petrov kits out his new Sunday football side|publisher=Birmingham Mail|date=21 October 2014|access-date=10 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-celtic-star-stiliyan-petrov-4429027.amp

|title=Stiliyan Petrov says Sunday league is heaven|date=3 October 2014|website=shortlist.com}} who were managed by former Coventry City player David Busst.

In March 2015, he rejoined Aston Villa in a coaching role.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31754491|title=Stiliyan Petrov returns to Aston Villa to coach first team|date=5 March 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 January 2018}}

In April 2016 Petrov revealed he was training with Villa's Under-21 side with a view to returning to the professional game.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36142390 |title=Stiliyan Petrov: Ex-Aston Villa captain wants to play professionally again |author= |date=26 April 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=26 April 2016}} In June it was announced that he would be training with the first team during their pre-season tour of Austria, on a non-contractual basis.{{cite news|title=Stilyan Petrov: Ex-Aston Villa captain to resume training with relegated club|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36606960|access-date=23 June 2016}} On 9 July 2016, Petrov played his first game with the Aston Villa first team since his illness, taking part in an 8–0 friendly victory over local Austrian team GAK.{{cite news|title=Stiliyan Petrov: Former captain plays first Aston Villa game in four years|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36756580|publisher=BBC|date=9 July 2016|access-date=10 July 2016}}

File:Stiliyan Petrov 2011.jpg in 2011]]

Stilyan Petrov made his debut as a 52nd minute substitute{{Cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=405|title = Morocco vs Bulgaria, 24 December 1998}} for Bulgaria on 24 December 1998 in a friendly match against Morocco. The match was played in Agadir, Morocco and finished with a 4–1 win for the North Africans.

He scored his first goal (80th minute){{Cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=24625|title=Bulgaria vs Belarus, 29 March 2000}} for the national side in another friendly match against Belarus (4–1) on 29 March 2000.

In 2003, he won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year award, when he was playing for Celtic and he captained the national team at Euro 2004 where he was sent off during a match against Denmark.

On 12 October 2006 Petrov, then captain of Bulgaria, announced his decision to retire from international football at the age of 27 as long as Hristo Stoichkov manages the Bulgaria national team.{{cite web|url=http://focus-sport.net/?do=n1148764039503|title=Фокус - Спорт|website=Фокус - Спорт|access-date=1 January 2018}} However, on 20 March 2007 he made amends with Hristo Stoichkov and made himself available for selection again.{{cite web |url=http://www.sport1.bg/sport1/node/40883 |title=Стилиян се завръща в националния | Sport 1 – Спортният сайт на България |publisher=Sport1.bg |date=13 January 2007 |access-date=4 April 2007 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706144210/http://www.sport1.bg/sport1/node/40883 |url-status=dead }}

However, he did not recover his position as national captain because it was decided that Dimitar Berbatov would retain the captain's armband. On 14 January 2010, it was announced that Petrov had come second in Bulgaria's Player of the Year.

Petrov was renamed captain of the Bulgarian side again following the retirement of Berbatov from international football in 2010. On 26 March 2011, Petrov earned his 100th cap for Bulgaria in the 0–0 home draw with Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier. He received a flower bouquet from Borislav Mihaylov and was applauded by the spectators prior to the start of the match.

During his career Petrov was chosen as Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 2003. He placed second in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2011, and third in 2002 and 2006.

In 2005, Petrov wrote his autobiography with the assistance of Sunday Mail sports journalist Mark Guidi entitled You Can Call Me Stan, in reference to his nickname "Stan", a shortened form of his given name. In the book, he describes how "Stiliyan" is the correct spelling, rather than "Stilian", as it is sometimes spelled in the press.

He and his wife Paulina have two sons, Kristiyan and Stiliyan Jr.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3172465,00.html |title=Statement by Villa club captain Stiliyan Petrov |work=Aston Villa FC |date=9 May 2013 |access-date=8 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028122939/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3172465,00.html |archive-date=28 October 2014}} The latter announced in April 2025 that he was standing as a candidate for Reform UK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/25079136.dads-celtic-legend-standing-nigel-farages-reform/|title=My Dad's a Celtic legend and I'm standing for Nigel Farage's Reform Party|date=10 April 2025|website=Glasgow Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/10/son-aston-villa-legend-stiliyan-petrov-standing-reform-local-elections-22883942/|title=Son of Aston Villa legend Stiliyan Petrov standing for Reform in local elections|last=Munro|first=Craig|date=10 April 2025|work=Metro}} In response, the elder Petrov said he had no interest in politics and that his son was "his own man".{{Cite web|url=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/stiliyan-petrov-says-son-is-his-own-man-after-announcing-reform-uk-candidacy|title=Stiliyan Petrov says son is his 'own man' after announcing Reform UK candidacy|first=Keiran|last=Fleming|date=14 April 2025|website=STV News}}

On 30 March 2012, Petrov was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The condition was diagnosed following tests after Petrov developed a fever following Aston Villa's 3–0 defeat to Arsenal.{{cite news|title=Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has acute leukaemia|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17566188|access-date=31 March 2012|publisher=BBC}} Because of this, Petrov told Bulgarian press that he planned to retire from club and international football;{{cite web |url= http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/petrov-retires-after-leukaemia-news-20120401-1w5ze.html |title=Petrov retires after leukaemia news |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012}}{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/9177954/Stiliyan-Petrov-to-retire-from-football-after-leukaemia-diagnosis-saying-football-is-over-this-is-the-end.html |title=Stiliyan Petrov to retire from football after leukaemia diagnosis, saying 'football is over, this is the end' – Telegraph |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 April 2012 |location=London |issn=0307-1235 |oclc=49632006 |access-date=1 April 2012}} his agent later denied any reports of retirement: "It is not true that Stiliyan has said he is retiring from football. What he did say was that he was fighting for his life and that he will fight to recover."{{cite web |url= http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/894833-stiliyan-petrov-not-quitting-as-fans-join-for-19th-minute-round-of-applause#ixzz1qmjKhRtR |title=Stiliyan Petrov 'not quitting' over leukaemia as Aston Villa and Chelsea fans join for 19th minute round of applause |first=Alistair |last=Potter |work=Metro |date=31 March 2012 |access-date=3 April 2012}} He visited Villa Park for the match against Chelsea and in the 19th minute, the number of his shirt, the crowd gave him an ovation.{{cite news|last=Barretto |first=Lawrence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17497274 |title=– Aston Villa 2–4 Chelsea |work=BBC Sport }} The tribute caught the imagination of fans, and home and away fans repeated the ovation at every Villa game that season.

On 10 June 2012, Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert announced that Petrov would remain Aston Villa's club captain for the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8826789/aston-villa-defender-ron-vlaar-backs-club-to-build-on-strong-end-to-last-season |title=Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar backs club to build on strong end to last season |work=Sky Sports |date=16 July 2012 |access-date=8 October 2014 }} In his absence the team captaincy was taken over by Dutch defender Ron Vlaar. On his 33rd birthday, Petrov visited his teammates on the first day of their pre season training, and was presented with a cake by the players, who sang happy birthday to him and gave him a round of applause.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/2012-07-05/aston-villas-stiliyan-petrov-was-overwhelmed-at-his-birthday-celebration-today/ |title=Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov was overwhelmed at his birthday celebration today |work=ITV |date=5 July 2012 |access-date=8 August 2014 }}

On 2 August 2012, it was announced that Petrov's leukaemia was in remission.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19101746 |title=– Stiliyan Petrov: Aston Villa captain's leukaemia in remission |publisher=BBC |date=2 August 2012 }}

Petrov announced his retirement from football on 9 May 2013, and led his family out on the Villa Park pitch for a lap of honour, to applaud the Villa fans who supported him during his illness, on the final day of the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/09/aston-villa-stiliyan-petrov-retirement |title=Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov announces retirement from football |work=The Guardian |date=9 May 2013 |access-date=8 October 2014 }}

On 22 May 2013, shortly after announcing his retirement from playing, Aston Villa announced that Petrov would take on a new role at the club as assistant of the Youth Development squad, working alongside Gordon Cowans.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/05/22/3997775/petrov-joins-aston-villa-staff-as-assistant-youth-coach |title=Petrov joins Aston Villa staff as assistant youth coach |work=Goal.com |date=22 May 2013 |access-date=8 October 2014 }}

Talking about his new role Petrov said ″I'm very excited by this new challenge and I wish to thank the Club and the manager, Paul Lambert, for giving me the opportunity to continue my association with Villa, which I have always regarded as a privilege. I will study for my coaching badges over the coming months and I am looking forward very much to working with Gordon Cowans, someone I know and respect, a true Villa legend.″{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/22/stiliyan-petrov-coaching-aston-villa |title=Stiliyan Petrov accepts coaching role at Aston Villa following retirement |work=The Guardian |date=22 May 2013 |access-date=8 October 2014 }}

As of August 2013, Petrov was no longer part of the Villa coaching team.{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-stiliyan-petrov-leaves-5759804 |title=Stiliyan Petrov: "I love my new role with the club, I want to continue to make a valid contribution." |work=Birmingham Mail |date=21 August 2013 |access-date=8 October 2014 }} The Club announced his resignation and explained that he had requested time off as he felt he had to be fully devoted to his family. Petrov expressed gratitude to the club for the opportunity.

On 5 March 2015, Aston Villa Manager Tim Sherwood announced that Petrov would return to the Aston Villa backroom team and will help coach the First Team.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/english/2015/0305/684866-aston-villa-stillian-petrov/|title=Petrov joins backroom staff at Aston Villa|website=RTÉ.ie |date=5 March 2015|access-date=1 January 2018}}

Petrov has completed his UEFA pro coaching licence, as well as a master's degree in Sports Management through UEFA, as of 2020.{{cite web |last1=Guidi |first1=Mark |title=Celtic legend Stiliyan Petrov: I hope the Scotland boys don't suffer the agonising World Cup fate that I experienced |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/stiliyan-petrov-world-cup/ |website=Sunday Post |access-date=15 October 2021}} He is currently the director of a business venture, Player 4 Player, to support players to transition into retirement, alongside other former players including Gareth Farrelly, Emile Heskey and Gaizka Mendieta.{{cite web |last1=Meehan |first1=Tomas |title=Stiliyan Petrov's dream job was cut short by cancer; now he wants to help soccer stars plan for the future |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/06/football/stiliyan-petrov-football-finance-cmd-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=15 October 2021}}

On 11 December 2014, Petrov appeared as a special guest on the eighth episode of the ninth series of Russell Howard's Good News.{{cite web|url=http://www.purelyfootball.com/2014/12/stiliyan-petrovs-brilliant-interview-on-russell-howards-good-news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120934/http://www.purelyfootball.com/2014/12/stiliyan-petrovs-brilliant-interview-on-russell-howards-good-news|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|title=Stiliyan Petrov's brilliant interview on Russell Howard's Good News|publisher=Purely Football.com|date=17 December 2014|access-date=19 March 2015}} He often works as a pundit for games on Sky Sports and TNT Sports when Celtic are playing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/five-scottish-football-pundits-who-23867231|title=Five Scottish football pundits who deserve more air time|first=Ross|last=Pilcher|date=5 May 2022|website=Football Scotland}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/24931538.rodgers-details-champions-league-reality-celtic-must-change/|title=Brendan Rodgers details the Champions League 'reality' Celtic must change|first=Robbie|last=Hanratty|date=12 February 2025|website=The Herald}}

:Scores and results list Bulgaria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Petrov goal.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/stpetrov-intlg.html |title=rsssf.org |website=RSSSF |date=29 February 2012 }}

CSKA Sofia{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

• Bulgarian Championship: 1996–97
• Bulgarian Cup: 1996–97, 1998–99

Celtic{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

• Scottish Premier League: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2005–06
• Scottish Cup: 2000–01, 2003–04, 2004–05
• Scottish League Cup: 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2005–06
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2002–03{{Cite news|date=21 May 2003|title=Porto end Celtic's Uefa dream|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/3043029.stm|access-date=4 May 2020}}

Aston Villa

• Football League Cup runner-up: 2009–10{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8531179.stm |title=Aston Villa 1–2 Manchester United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=28 February 2010 |access-date=25 March 2024}}

Wychall Wanderers

• Central Warwickshire Over-35s Premier Division One Cup{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32265918 |title=Stiliyan Petrov: Ex-Villa & Celtic player wins Sunday league trophy |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 April 2015}}

Individual

• Bulgarian Footballer of the Year: 2002–03{{Cite web |title=Stilian Petrov Named Bulgaria's 2003 Best Footballer - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/29289/Stilian+Petrov+Named+Bulgaria's+2003+Best+Footballer |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.novinite.com}}
• SPFA Young Player of the Year: 2000–01{{Cite web |url=http://www.celticfc.net/newsdesk/latest_news/01-04/am_30_1139.htm |title=Celts in SPFA Double Scoop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010503042435/http://www.celticfc.net/newsdesk/latest_news/01-04/am_30_1139.htm |archive-date=3 May 2001 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 January 2018}}
• Celtic Player of The Year: 2004–05{{Cite web |last=Kirkpatrick |first=Gary |date=2024-06-20 |title=All Celtic Player of the Year Award Winners Since 2003 |url=https://www.67hailhail.com/feature/all-celtic-player-of-the-year-award-winners-since-2003/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=67 Hail Hail |language=en-GB}}
• Aston Villa Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09,{{Cite web | url = https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stiliyan-petrov-wins-aston-villa-93114 | title = Stiliyan Petrov wins Aston Villa player of year award double | newspaper = Birmingham Mail | date = 13 May 2009 | access-date = 3 February 2023 }} 2011–12{{Cite web | url = https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2012/05/01/petrov-ireland-and-weimann-the-big-winners-at-annual-awards | title = Stiliyan Petrov wins Aston Villa player of year award double | publisher = Aston Villa | website = avfc.co.uk | date = 1 May 2012 | access-date = 3 February 2023 }}
• Aston Villa Supporters' Player of the Year: 2008–09
• Inductee in Aston Villa Hall of Fame: 2013{{Cite web | url = https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2013/05/09/popular-petrov-to-be-added-to-iconic-villa-hall-of-fame | title = POPULAR PETROV TO BE ADDED TO ICONIC VILLA HALL OF FAME | publisher = Aston Villa | website = avfc.co.uk | date = 10 May 2013 | access-date = 3 February 2023 }}
• BFU Award (100 caps){{Cite news |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2011/03/23/role-model-petrov-praised-as-he-gets-set-to-win-100th-bulgaria-cap |title='ROLE MODEL' PETROV PRAISED AS HE GETS SET TO WIN 100TH BULGARIA CAP |date=23 March 2011 | publisher = Aston Villa | website = avfc.co.uk |access-date=3 February 2023 |language=en-GB}}
• UEFA Centurions Award (100 caps){{Cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d0400bdc09e-9bc0e488959f-1000--international-centurions-to-receive-uefa-award/ |title=International centurions to receive UEFA award |date=30 August 2011 | website = UEFA |access-date=3 February 2023 |language=en-GB}}
• FIFPRO Merit Award: 2013{{Cite news |url=https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/merit-award/all-winners-of-the-fifpro-merit-award/ |title=All winners of the FIFPRO Merit award |date=11 December 2019 | publisher = FIFPRO |access-date=3 February 2023 |language=en-GB}}

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120904162836/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~6834,00.html Aston Villa Official Website Profile]
• [http://www.footballdatabase.com/site/players/index.php?dumpPlayer=1034 FootballDatabase provides Stilian Petrov's profile and stats]

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{{SPFA Young Player of the Year}}

{{Bulgarian Footballer of the Year}}

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{{Bulgaria Squad 2004 UEFA Euro}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Petrov, Stiliyan}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Montana, Bulgaria

Category:Footballers from Montana Province

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Bulgarian men's footballers

Category:Bulgaria men's international footballers

Category:Bulgarian expatriate men's footballers

Category:Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:FC Montana players

Category:PFC CSKA Sofia players

Category:Celtic F.C. players

Category:Aston Villa F.C. players

Category:Aston Villa F.C. non-playing staff

Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Sunday league players

Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players

Category:FIFA Men's Century Club

Category:Association football coaches

Category:Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland