Celtic’s incredibly low wage paid to £2.8m signing Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov has discussed what he was paid when he initially signed for Celtic after making the move from Bulgaria to Scotland…

27 August 2000: Stilian Petrov of Celtic celebrates during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park, in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 6-2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport

The former midfielder arrived at the Hoops from CSKA Sofia in 1999 during John Barnes’ tenure. Although the club spent £2.8 million to secure the then promising youngster, his salary was arguably not in line with his talent at that stage of his career.

Speaking via More Than A Game podcast, Petrov said: “I remember the offer was about $300 [£227.14] a week, which was really low.

“Really low, to be honest, but it was three times more than I was earning in Bulgaria. $5,000 [£3793.52] a year. So for me, it was like a lot more than I was earning, but you forget one thing: you don’t live in Bulgaria. You live in a completely different place.

“The demand is completely different, the expenses, everything was different. But for me, it was not like that.”

Even though Petrov’s initial pay at Celtic was modest, he went on to establish himself as a fans favourite, enjoying seven highly successful years in Glasgow.

Across his spell with the club, he featured in 311 matches and found the net 64 times. Integral to Martin O’Neill’s midfield in the early years under the now interim Celtic boss, Petrov helped MoN’s men secure four league titles along with three Scottish Cup and League Cup triumphs.

Massive Celtic support in Seville — Photo imago/Miguelez Sports Foto Celtic Glasgow v. Porto Bobo Balde, Neil Lennon, Alan Thompson, Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjällby, Didier Agathe, Stilian Petrov, Henrik Larsson, Robert Douglas

The Bulgarian was famously a member of the squad that made it to the 2003 UEFA Cup final. In 2006, he linked up with O’Neill once again at Aston Villa in the Premier League, where he would later take on the role of club captain.

Celtic Legends match, 2013 — Stiliyan Petrov Charity Match, Celtic XI v Stiliyan XI, 8 September 2013. Photos by by Vagelis Georgariou

He stepped away from the game in 2013 after his fight with cancer, although Petrov did feature in a friendly nine years ago for the Birmingham club as he attempted to make a comeback.

Conor Spence

CELTIC STAR BOOKS OFFFER – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

Order David Potter’s final Celtic book, ‘Celtic in the Eighties’ and you’ll receive a copy that has been personally signed by legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain. Plus you’ll also receive a complementary copy of Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style! Order Celtic in the Eighties at Celtic Star Books and we’ll do the rest. Please note that postage will only be charged on one book but you’ll receive both!