Martin Petrov

Martin Petrov is a Bulgarian midfielder, born on 15 January 1979 in Vratsa, Bulgaria.

Martin embarked on his professional career with Botev Vratsa in 1995. He then played for CSKA Sofia and scored 27 goals in 77 matches for Swiss side Servette in between 1998 and 2001. In 2001, Petrov moved to Germany where he joined VfL Wolfsburg. He got off to a flying start in Germany as he assisted one goal and scored another during his debut game for the club in the Intertoto Cup. Petrov became a regular in the first team already during the first season at Wolfsburg and amassed 6 goals in 32 matches. The Bulgurian sparked furor when he scored all four goals in a 4-3 victory over Mainz 05 on 30 October 2004. He finished the 2004/05 season as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals. Overall, Petrov scored 28 goals in 116 league appearances for Wolfsburg during a four-year stint.

In 2005, the midfielder switched to Spanish La Liga side Atlético Madrid and in the 2007/08 season he transferred to the English Manchester City. After that Petrov joined Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League but following the 2011/12 season the club dropped down to the Championship. Having played 15 matches in the English second tier, Petrov signed for Spanish Espanyol in La Liga but was soon released. Later on he moved to a Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.

Martin Petrov is a regular international for Bulgaria since 1999. For his outstanding performances throughout the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign Petrov was named the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year 2006.