Stiliyan Petrov to train with Aston Villa

But, the following year, Petrov made a decision to step away from elite-level football “with a heavy heart” and subsequently dedicated his time to setting up a foundation to help others battling against leukaemia.

He announced his retirement in May 2013 while undergoing treatment, but turned out for his local Over-35s Sunday League team Wychall Wanderers.

Stiliyan Petrov has completed a remarkable recovery from cancer and will return to Aston Villa’s first team for pre-season.

The English Championship club has confirmed the former Celtic midfielder will join Roberto di Matteo’s squad for their training camp in Austria.

“Stan will report next week with the rest of the group”, the club said.

In April, Petrov revealed that he was on a secret eighteen-month fitness plan and was training with the under-21 team of Aston Villa.

Now Villa have given him the chance to prove his fitness by joining them for pre-season on a non-contract basis.

“I’ve been working close to the idea for a year-and-a-half and I’ve managed to come a long way”.

Petrov became club captain for Villa, and played 218 times for the club in his first spell. And the last hurdle will be even tougher but I’m physically and mentally prepared to jump over it!