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Dimitar Berbatov has opened up on how he was once kidnapped and held hostage in a restaurant in an attempt to coerce him into switching clubs. Berbatov was a youngster establishing himself at CSKA Sofia when the episode occurred.

Aged 18, he was driven to a restaurant by a team-mate following training and detained for several hours by a group of individuals who wanted him to sign for a competing club instead.

Berbatov, who later represented Bulgaria, Tottenham and Manchester United , unveiled the extraordinary incident whilst appearing on Rio Ferdinand's Rio Presents podcast .

He explained: "I was playing for CSKA Sofia and I was really starting to show my qualities. And normally, when you show your quality as a player, teams will come for you, submit offers, ask, yo

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