STAN THANKS FANS

FORMER Celtic star Stiliyan Petrov has revealed he has entered the final week of his cancer treatment.

The ex-Parkhead favourite thanked fans for supporting him through his three-year battle with the disease, which he has finally won.

He was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in 2012 and has undergone gruelling
chemotherapy.

Stiliyan, known as “Stan”, was forced to quit Aston Villa and retire from the game in 2013, at the age of 33.

He posted on Twitter: “Last week of treatment starts today. It has been a long, bumpy ride, but has finally come to an end.

“Thank you all for the amazing support. It means a lot to me and my family.”

Stan joined Celtic from CSKA Sofia in 1999 for £2.8million.

The midfielder made 228 appearances for the Hoops and won four league titles and both the Scottish Cup and League Cup three times each.

He then followed former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill to English Premier League outfit Aston Villa in 2006 in a deal worth £6.5million.

Before being struck down with leukaemia – cancer of the blood cells – he was club captain and got 106 caps for Bulgaria.

In September 2013, footballing legends from around the world took part in a testimonial match for Stan in front of 60,000 at Celtic Park.

Last October, it was reported Stan was back playing again – for Sunday League side Wychall Wanderers in the Central Warwickshire Over-35s League.

At the time, the father of two sons said: “Being able to play again is another dream coming true.”