[devo22]

man this just awesome!

Stiliyan Petrov set for return to professional football after beating leukaemia and hopes to play for Aston Villa in the Championship

Stiliyan Petrov will make a return to professional football next season and wants to lead Aston Villa back into the Premier League. The midfielder was diagnosed with acute leukaemia four years ago but has been training with Villa’s Under 21s.

Petrov, 36, now believes he is fit enough to make a fairytale comeback to the professional ranks. He made his bombshell announcement at the launch of the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation golf day at The Belfry. Looking trim and fit, Petrov said: ‘I'm looking forward to a return to football again. I've told Aston Villa that I'm ready to start a pre-season with them. Obviously they will always have the first look.'

Petrov was diagnosed with the disease four years ago and went through three years of chemotherapy. He has remained close to Villa during that period and even had a spell of coaching the Under-21s with Gordon Cowans when Paul Lambert was manager. Since his illness he has raised £250,000 for cancer charities and will have a star-studded cast at his golf day on May 8, including former Villa manager Martin O’Neill.

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