Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov has revealed that he hopes to defy convention and carry on playing for another nine years, taking him past his 40th birthday.
The Bulgarian has got off to a flying start at Craven Cottage, netting three goals in his first five Premier League games after joining the club from Manchester United in the summer.
Attacking players tend to retire earlier than goalkeepers or defenders, but the 31-year-old Fulham striker has always relied on guile over pace.
And he revealed: 'I'm not a keeper, Ryan Giggs or Paolo Maldini, but I want to play until I am 40.'
Berbatov has been playing in England for over six years. He joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2006 before leaving White Hart Lane for United in a £30million deal in 2008.
And although Berbatov endured a frustrating time in his final two seasons at Old Trafford, he revealed that his love of the English game means he hopes to remain on these shores for years to come.
He added: 'I want to play in England for several more years. I like England as a place. I like the mentality, culture and its football.'