Rather sad news came out of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, with the club’s Nigerian goalkeeper diagnosed with acute leukemia.
According to the Championship club, the 31-year-old Ikeme returned “abnormal” blood tests during pre-season testing, with subsequent tests confirming the initial diagnosis.
It is with great sadness that Wolves are today announcing that Carl Ikeme has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.https://t.co/yGsoT4rjiE pic.twitter.com/3WQCraBl1v
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 6, 2017
The Sutton Coalfield-born Ikeme has been with Wolves his entire career, making a number of unused sub appearances in the Premier League in 2003/04.
After a loan spell with Accrington Stanley, Ikeme eventually made his senior debut with Wolves in 2005.
Overall, the Nigerian international made over 200 appearances for Wolves, while also being deployed on a number of loan spells in that time with the likes of Charlton, QPR and Leicester.
In a statement on the Wolves website, Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple said:
It would be an understatement to say that everyone at Wolves has been shocked and saddened to hear the news of Carl’s diagnosis.
That relates to both players and staff as Carl has been at the club for a very long time and remains such an integral personality within the group.
At the same time, we all know what a fighter and a competitor Carl is, and I have no doubt that he will take all of those attributes into this battle.
Similarly, its goes without saying that Carl and his family will receive the full love and support that we at Wolves can provide – we are all with him every single step of the way towards a full recovery.
There are going to be some very tough times ahead, but he will receive the best possible care, aided and supported by our own club doctor and medical team, as he embarks on the lengthy process of treatment.
Ikeme’s former team-mate Adam Le Fondre was one of many in the game to offer the goalkeeper their support.
Absolutely gutted to here that @Carl_Ikeme has leukaemia 😩one of footballs top guys! My thoughts are with you an your family!! #GetWellSoon
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) July 6, 2017
We at Pies also offer our best wishes to Carl and his family.
Let’s hope the big man can get through this difficult time and make a full recovery!