Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United player

Dimitar Berbatov became a Manchester United player minutes before the close of the summer 2008 transfer window. He cost the club about £30m.

Berbatov was born and brought up in Bulgaria. His first senior club was CSK Sofia, a club where his father had also played. He remained there until he was twenty, when he moved to Germany, to Bayer Leverkusen. In his first full season in Germany, 2001-2002, he came on as a substitute in the final of the UEFA Champions League. He played for Bayer Leverkusen for five and a half seasons before then moving to Tottenham Hotspur. In each of his two full seasons in London, he scored twenty-three goals. After much speculation, he joined Manchester United early in the 2008-2009 season, with Fraizer Campbell going on loan to Tottenham as part of the deal. In his first season, Berbatov didn't quite living up to explectations. He scored fourteen goals, but by the end of the season had ceased to be a guaranteed starter.

Berbatov can play either as the front striker or as a supportive striker. He has a good goal-scoring record, without being a selfish player. He has a marvellous touch and tremendous vision. His style of play is often described as ‘languid’ and hasn’t, at least until recently, included chasing back energetically to help defend. Some hoped Berbatov would have a ‘Cantona-like’ effect at Manchester United but, to date, this hasn't happened. 2009-2010 will be a significant season.

Berbatov has often been elected Bulgarian Player of the Year. Since 1999, he has played many times for his country and is the current national team captain.