The Greatest Bulgarian Premier League Players Ever

Bulgarian players have been a rarity in the history of the English top flight. However, some stars have still had huge impacts on the English game. Bulgaria has produced prolific goalscorers as well as well-rounded midfielders that have been exported to England. But who are the greatest players from the Eastern European nation to have graced the Premier League stage?

Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov stands comfortably alone as the greatest Bulgarian to ever play in the Premier League. He established legendary status in spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United due to his consistent goalscoring record. In his time at Old Trafford, he won two league titles in the midst of Sir Alex Ferguson's glory days. 

Dimitar Berbatov on Harry Kane - "I can understand and can relate to his situation. I feel for him, but at the same time I think he is going to stay at Spurs,"

His legacy now is so great that he cannot force himself to tarnish it. pic.twitter.com/xBMbtJrzsF

— Lilywhite Rose (@Lilywhite_Rose) May 17, 2023

The forward played a key role in one of the greatest eras in Manchester United's history. In modern times, they are not the dominant force they used to be when Berbatov spearheaded the attack alongside Wayne Rooney and Co. In the betting on the Premier League, they are clear outsiders at odds of 12.00 to lift the league title next season. Premier League betting tips suggest that their neighbors Manchester City are the most likely winners, and United's ten-year league title drought is set to be extended. 

United lacks a natural goalscoring center-forward in their current setup under Erik Ten Hag. Wout Weghorst was brought in on loan in January, but he has failed to live up to expectations. Berbatov would have been extremely useful to them if he played in the current era. His physicality and intelligent attacking movements would have made him a problem even for athletic modern defenses. 

Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov, similarly to Berbatov, spent time at CSKA Sofia before moving to the United Kingdom. He played for Celtic in Scotland before making the switch to Aston Villa. He was a tough-tackling midfielder that often dominated the middle of the park. He was an iconic figure by the time he left Villa Park after a lengthy seven-season stay in England.

1 - Stiliyan Petrov (@StanPetrov19) is the only player to have played in the Premier League whose name contains all the letters in the word 'Nativity'. Star. pic.twitter.com/Z3ahHeh4ou

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 25, 2022

Petrov managed nine goals and 12 assists in 185 Premier League appearances for Villa. While his main duties were defensive-based, he occasionally impacted the scoresheet directly. 

Martin Petrov

Martin Petrov completes the list, he is yet another player who was a product of CSKA Sofia. He was somewhat of a journeyman all around Europe, playing for teams as varied as Atletico Madrid and VFL Wolfsburg. His time in England was spent in the North West with Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers. Playing as a winger, he recorded 16 goals and 22 assists over 117 appearances in the Premier League.

Petrov is the greatest-ever Bulgarian Premier League goalscorer besides Dimitar Berbatov. He is certainly the highest quality wide man that has ever reached the Premier League from the nation. He was an iconic City figure prior to the club's takeover in 2008.

These Bulgarian legends left a significant mark on the Premier League. Berbatov is one of the most prolific scorers in league history, and he even boasted his own signature skill move the 'Berba Spin'. Stiliyan Petrov is undoubtedly the greatest Bulgarian midfielder to play in the top flight. Martin Petrov of course offered stunning trickery from out wide that no Bulgarian Prem star has replicated since. Bulgaria is not the strongest football nation but it has still made a lasting impression on the greatest league in the world. 

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