Saturday 23 June 2018 14:03, UK
Wolves and Nigeria 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 then 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 photograph of him with his children.
"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.
"I can't thank everyone at the Christie and Heartlands Hospital enough for their 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.
