Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov, who is currently in remission from acute leukaemia, has decided to call time on his professional football career.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with cancer around 14 months ago and has decided to take on a "new challenge" of helping others deal with illness by setting up his own foundation.
In a statement via the club's official website, Petrov said: "I've never been a person for making grand statements. I've only ever got on with my job, while remaining grateful to have great teammates, great people around me and, most of all, a fantastic family. Football has been the other great love of my life, so it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from the game.
"The emotions are overwhelming really, 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. That I am ready to embrace new challenges will make this process much easier.
"Since being diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, 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."
The Bulgarian, who receives a round of applause from Villa fans in the 19th minute of every game, moved to the Midlands club from Celtic in 2006.
Danielle Joynson
