Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov retired from football on Thursday following a battle against acute leukemia.
The Bulgarian midfielder was diagnosed with the condition in March last year and is now in remission.
''It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from the game,'' Petrov said on Villa's website. ''The emotions are overwhelming really, but the continued support of family, friends and the great people I have come to know will make it easier for me to move on from the only life I've ever known.''
Petrov said he has finished his high intensity treatment and will now undergo softer treatment with a two-year course of tablets.
''Fortunately, I was able to make decisions very quickly and I started my treatment quickly. I needed to,'' he said. ''My leukemia is now in remission ... I feel lucky. Not everyone is as lucky as I have been.''
Petrov, who joined Villa from Celtic in 2006, now intends to set up a foundation to raise money to address issues around the diagnosis of leukemia.
Villa fans have applauded Petrov in the 19th minute of every game this season, marking the number on his jersey.
