Union Berlin Extend Contract Of Midfielder Benjamin Köhler As Show Of Support After Cancer Diagnosis

Chris Wright

6th, February 2015

1 Comment

By Chris Wright

Here’s one to warm thou cockles on this cold and frosty morn.

German second division side Union Berlin have extended the contract of midfielder Benjamin Köhler for a further year as a show of support as he continues to battle a rare type of stomach cancer.

Köhler was recently diagnosed with was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this week when doctors found a malignant tumour in his stomach.

“I’m going to fight it,” Köhler told the German press.

“It’s a massive blow for my family and I – first I’ve got to process it, but then I’m going to fight it with everything I’ve got.

“We’ll be seeing each other again for sure.”

The 34-year-old is now due to step down from active duty while he undergoes treatment, but Union – a club famed for their independent and family-orientated leanings – have extended his contract by a further year to 2016 as a signal of their confidence that Kohler will be able to beat his illness and return to their fold in the not-so-distant future.

“Benny is and remains an important part of our team,” said manager Norbert Duewel in a club statement.

“His illness came as a shock for all of us, but we are all certain that Benny will again wear the Union shirt. He is a fighter on and off the pitch.”

Amazing stuff. Such a simple gesture, but incredibly powerful with it.

(Via Guardian)

Posted in Bundesliga, Hardmen, Newsnow

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1 Comment

  1. Sherman the German says:

    Just happened at Union v Bochum: When the ball went off the pitch, the referee paused the game to let the Berlin players show their support to Köhler (sitting on the terrace). They were all wearing shirts with his #7 and the lettering “fighting together”. All the Bochum players applauded to Köhler aswell.

    What a great gesture that is.

    Game’s still underway, I think there will be a video of it soon.

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