Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov announces retirement from football

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.