Aston Villa opt against offering Stiliyan Petrov playing deal
Wednesday 20 July 2016 20:07, UK
Aston Villa will not be offering a playing contract to Stiliyan Petrov, but want him to stay at the club in a different role.
The midfielder, 37, has been training with Villa and has been involved in some of their pre-season matches, most recently against Worcester City, on Saturday.
Petrov retired from the playing ranks in 2013, having suspended his career a year earlier when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
The 105-times capped Bulgaria international returned to training with the club's U21 team late last season and it was then announced he would play a full part in their pre-season training camp in Austria.
But Villa boss Roberto di Matteo confirmed on Wednesday that Petrov would not be offered a contract, at least as a player.
Di Matteo said: "Stiliyan is an inspiration to all of us.
"I have spoken to him and explained my thoughts and offered him the chance to remain at the club. Stiliyan is going to discuss this with his family before coming back to us."
