British football fan Michael Shields, convicted of attempted murder in Bulgaria, would be transferred from a Bulgarian to a British prison, Associated Press reported.

Shields, 20, was found guilty of the attempted murder of Bulgarian bartender Marting Georgiev. In July 2005 Shields visited the Bulgarian resort of Golden Sands after attending a Liverpool match in Turkey.

The case gained popularity after another Liverpool fan, Graham Sankey, confessed from the UK that he hit Georgiev on the head. Sankey failed appearing before a Bulgarian court and his confession was not counted as evidence establishing the innocence of Shields.

Varna's court sentenced Shields to 15 years in prison, which was later taken down to 10 years. He was also sentenced to pay 200 000 leva to the victim of the assault.

The transfer to British prison became possible after the family of Shields paid the compensation and the interest that had accumulated, Associated Press reported.