Shoot! would like to wish former Premier League striker Dimitar Berbatov many happy returns as the Bulgarian forward celebrates his 36th birthday today!

The striker played for Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Fulham in the top-flight of English football between 2006 and 2014, before joining Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco.

Since then, Berbatov was playing his football in Greece for Panthessalonikios Athlitikos Omilos Konstantinoupoliton (PAOK), although he was released last summer after just five goals in 25 games in all competitions.

Now a free agent; the Bulgarian ace will have plenty of time to reminisce about his Premier League goals and highlights during his seven and a half year spell in the country, although don’t rule out another English football club making a move for the veteran goalscorer.

Having scored twice for the Rest of the World team during last year’s Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford, the Bulgarian still has plenty to offer at the age of 36.

So, to celebrate Berbatov’s latest milestone, here is the striker’s Premier League Career in Pictures…

Spurs signing

In May 2006, Premiership side Tottenham reached an agreement with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen to sign the striker for a reported £10.9m, making Berbatov the most expensive Bulgarian footballer ever.

He made his Spurs debut in his new club’s Premiership opener away at Bolton Wanderers, which they lost 2-0.

But just three days later, Berbatov scored the opening goal – his first strike for the North London outfit – in Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Hat-trick hero

The Bulgarian netted his first Premier League hat-trick on December 29, 2007, recording a four-goal haul against Reading in a thrilling 6-4 win at White Hart Lane.

Silverware success

Fast-forward to February 2008, Berbatov was on the winning side in his first cup final in English football, as Tottenham fought off rivals Chelsea to lift the League Cup.

After Didier Drogba’s 39th minute opener at Wembley Stadium, Berbatov equalised for Spurs with 20 minutes remaining, converting his spot-kick after defender Wayne Bridge was adjudged to have handled the ball in the 18-yard area, forcing extra-time.

Defender Jonathan Woodgate was the unlikely hero after grabbing Tottenham’s match winner just four minutes into the first period of extra-time, giving Berbatov his first taste of silverware success in English football.

Red Devil

On September 1, 2008, Berbatov sealed a reported £30.75m transfer to Manchester United, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils’ arch-rivals, Manchester City, had also had a bid accepted by Tottenham for the forward, but Berbatov claimed he “would not even have thought about Manchester City”.

He scored 46 goals in 102 games for Tottenham overall.

European euphoria

The Bulgarian netted his first goals for Manchester United in Denmark, scoring twice against Aalborg BK in a 3-0 Champions League away victory on September 30, 2008.

Berbatov then netted his first Premier League goal for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side during October’s 4-0 rout over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford, scoring his team’s third effort.

League champion

Berbatov became the first Bulgarian to play in an English Premier League title-winning team as Manchester United finished top of the Premier League table during the 2008-09 season.

Hat-trick hero – Part Two

Berbatov scored his first hat-trick for Manchester United on September 19, 2010, netting all three of The Red Devils’ strikes against rivals Liverpool in a 3-2 home win over Liverpool.

His second against The Reds, an exquisite overhead kick, was a contender for Goal of the Season.

The treble meant the Bulgarian became the first United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in 64 years.

Five goals, five star performance

Berbatov wrote his name into the Premier League history books after scoring five goals in one game.

The forward scored five times during United’s 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford in November 2010, joining Jermain Defoe, Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole as the only players to do so.

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has since also scored five goals in a Premier League match versus Newcastle United in October 2015.

Fulham forward

After winning two Premier League titles, the League Cup, the FA Community Shield and the FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester United, where he netted 56 times in 149 games, Berbatov joined fellow top-flight side Fulham on August 31, 2012.

Having signed a two-year contract at Craven Cottage, the Bulgarian scored twice on his home debut in a 3-0 win over West Brom.

Saint to Sinner

After opening the scoring against Southampton on Boxing Day 2012 after just eight minutes, Berbatov took off his shirt to reveal the words “keep calm and pass me the ball” written on his vest.

His celebration at Craven Cottage saw the Bulgarian booked by referee Phil Dowd, before manager Martin Jol admitted it was “not the brightest thing to do”.

Berbatov left Fulham for Monaco on transfer deadline day in January 2014, after 20 goals in 50 games for The Cottagers.