Dimitar Berbatov was kidnapped as a teenager after a club tried to sign him.

The two-time Premier League winner has revealed he faced 'tough, tough times' early on in his football career.

Berbatov began his playing days with the youth team of local side Pirin Blagoevgrad in his native Bulgaria.

He later joined CSKA Sofia in 1998 before going on to star in England for Tottenham, Manchester United and Fulham.

However, it was during his time with CSKA Sofia that he was kidnapped aged just 18.

The revelation stunned Berbatov's former United teammate Rio Ferdinand , who had never heard the story before.

Berbatov was appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast when he was asked about being kidnapped and why he had never discussed it in the dressing room.

The 44-year-old replie

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