Retired Bulgarian midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has expressed readiness to renew his professional football career.

Petrov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in 2012, which led to his premature retirement from professional football in 2013.

The Bulgarian successfully battled the disease after undergoing a treatment which was completed at the beginning of last year.

Petrov plans to return to professional football as player of his last professional club Aston Villa, which will be playing in the Championship next season after being relegated from the Premier League.

Speaking at the launch of a charity event that is to raise funds for The Stiliyan Petrov Foundation which helps people diagnosed with acute leukaemia, the Bulgarian revealed that he has been on a secret fitness plan for eighteen months.

Petrov has been training with Aston Villa's under-21 team for four months and has informed the club that he is ready to start the pre-season with them.

In his words, his fitness is getting close to the levels he enjoyed before his retirement. Petrov was firm that Aston Villa remains his priority.

Ever since his retirement, the Bulgarian has remained close to Aston Villa, first as coach of the under-21 team and then helping to coach the first team.