Stiliyan Petrov Biography: Nationality, Net Worth, Ethnicity, Age, Spouse, Height, Club, Parents, Family, Brother, Stats, Illness

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Stiliyan Alyoshev 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 ten major trophies, including four Scottish Premier League titles.

In 2006, Petrov transferred to Aston Villa in the English Premier League, following his former manager Martin O’Neill.

He later became the club captain and was inducted into the Aston Villa Hall of Fame in 2013, having made 219 competitive appearances for the club.

Profile

• Full Name: Stiliyan Alyoshev Petrov
• Stage Name: Stiliyan Petrov
• Born: 5 July 1979
• Age: 45 years old
• Birthplace: Montana, Bulgaria
• Nationality: Bulgarian
• Occupation: Bulgarian former footballer
• Height: 1.8 m
• Parent: Svetla Sredkova and Alyosha Petrov
• Siblings: Ivan Petrov
• Spouse: Paulina Petrova (m. 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 his education in management and coaching, which played a significant role in his career after football.

He earned his UEFA Pro 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 publicly known.

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 manager 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 honour, and it set the tone for what would become a highly successful tenure at the club. In his second season, under the guidance of Martin O’Neill, Petrov’s performances improved significantly, helping Celtic secure a treble.

He also became a regular scorer, netting seven goals in 28 league appearances, including one in the famous 6–2 victory over Rangers. His standout performances 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 linked with a move to the Premier League. His former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill, had taken 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. Over the course of 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 competitive 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 made his debut as a substitute in a friendly match against Morocco. Despite the loss, Petrov’s performances would soon elevate him to prominence on the international stage.

He scored his first goal for Bulgaria in a friendly against Belarus in March 2000, helping his country to a 4–1 victory. Over the years, Petrov became an integral part of the Bulgarian national team, amassing a total of 105 caps, making him the most-capped player in the nation’s history.

In March 2012, Petrov’s career faced an unexpected challenge when he was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. The diagnosis led to a suspension of his playing career as he focused on treatment, which ultimately proved successful.

After announcing his retirement from football in May 2013, Petrov shifted towards coaching. He rejoined Aston Villa in a coaching role in 2015, working with both the youth and first-team squads. Petrov’s transition into coaching was further supported by his completion of his UEFA Pro coaching license and a master’s degree in Sports Management, which he completed in 2020.

Outside of football, Petrov has pursued entrepreneurial ventures, including his involvement in Player 4 Player, a business dedicated to 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 made an appearance as a special guest on the ninth series of Russell Howard’s Good News in December 2014, further showcasing his versatility and ongoing presence in the public eye.

Social Media

Instagram handle: @stanpetrov19

Personal Life

Stiliyan Petrov is married to Paulina, a former economics student from Sofia. The couple tied the knot in 2001 and have been together for over 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 is largely derived from his successful football career, which included lucrative contracts with Celtic and Aston Villa.

Additionally, Petrov’s earnings have been boosted by endorsements and his participation in charity matches following his retirement from professional football.

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