Nigeria and Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has revealed he is in remission having battled against leukaemia for the past year.
The 32-year-old was diagnosed last July during pre-season when a blood test returned an abnormal result.
There has been an outpouring of support for Ikeme since as the illness saw him miss all of last season and a chance to go to the World Cup with Nigeria.
“After a tough year and intense chemotherapy throughout I would like to let everyone know I am in complete REMISSION,” he posted on Instagram, alongside a photographs of him with his children.
After a year of intense chemotherapy I would like to share that I am in complete REMISSION. I still have hurdles to pass to be cured,but hopefully I can move on with some normality! I would like to thank everyone for there support over the past year. Thank you❤️ #Grateful🙏🏽
— Carl Ikeme (@Carl_Ikeme) June 23, 2018
“I still have hurdles to get over to be cured but I can hopefully now move forward with some normality. I would like to thank my family/friends to start with who have gone above and beyond for me.
“The support I have received from Wolves/Nigeria, the football world and from people from all over the world has been hard to put into words.
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“I can’t thank everyone at the Christie and heartlands hospital enough for there care!!!What next who knows… I’m just taking it a day at a time.”
Ikeme is a product of the Wolves academy and made his first-team debut in 2003, since then he has spent several spells away from the club on loan deals but remains on their books as they return to the Premier League next season.
A number of Wolves players sported ‘Ikeme’ shirts during promotion celebrations as messages of support continue to come in – the club tweeting in reply to his message.
“There have been some fantastic moments this year but this by far tops them all. We’re all delighted for you, @Carl_Ikeme. See you soon,” a tweet from the club’s official account read.
There have been some fantastic moments this year but this by far tops them all. We're all delighted for you, @Carl_Ikeme. See you soon.
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 23, 2018