STILIYAN PETROV impressed the Aston Villa crowd when he stepped on to the pitch.
Now his son wants to impress the public as he steps into politics.
Stiliyan Jr is campaigning to be elected on to the Warwickshire County Council.
The 105-cap former Bulgarian international's son has already been revealed as Reform UK's candidate for the Lapworth & West Kenilworth ward.
say that he's “ready to fix his local area by cutting wasteful spending, lowering council tax and ensuring proper funding for key public services”.
Speaking in a short video released on the right-wing party's social media channels in which he does kick-ups with a football, Petrov Jr said: “I decided to stand for election because I think it's time the working-class people and the youth of this country have a voice.
“We all start somewhere.
“When I started my electrical apprenticeship, I didn't have any idea what I was doing.
“I couldn't tell you even how to wire up a light. As time goes on, you're getting that experience.
“It isn't going to be an easy journey. It will be hard.
“But you have to think on your feet and do what is best in that situation.
“I think that's really what is going to benefit me.”
Petrov Jr – who posed for photos with party leader Nigel Farage – will find out if he has been voted in as a councillor following the elections on May 1.
But he insists he is not hoping to spend his entire working life in the political arena.
Petrov added: “I'm not looking to be a career politician. I'm looking to help the people of this area and hopefully the country one day and just create real change in this country.
“Look around, this Labour government and the previous Conservative government have constantly been lying to us.
NOT STANDING STIL
“False promises and making us wait – well, I have had enough.
“It's time to step up to the challenge and make real change that matters.
“I believe in common-sense politics, I believe we should have lower taxes, safer streets and infrastructure that benefits everyone rather than having potholes everywhere on the roads and everybody getting punctures.
“We need to end this wasteful spending on a national and local level.
“Reform UK stands for practical people like me and wants change and will ensure change. I am Stiliyan Petrov, I am Reform UK.”
Petrov Sr, 45, moved to the UK in 1999 when he joined , racking up four league titles in seven seasons at Parkhead, before moving to in 2006.
He was part of the Villa side that reached the 2010 League Cup final but was forced to retire in 2013 after being diagnosed with leukaemia – before .
