Wales international David Brooks has revealed he's been diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The 24-year-old, who currently plays for Bournemouth in the second tier of English football, posted a message on Twitter Wednesday saying he will start treatment next week.
"I have been diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma and will begin a course of treatment next week," he wrote.
Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymph system, or "tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infections," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin, which spreads in an orderly manner through lymph nodes, and Non-Hodgkin, which spreads in a non-orderly fashion, according to the CDC.
"Although this has come as a shock to myself and my family, the prognosis is a positive one and I am confident that I will make a full recovery and be back playing as soon as possible," added Brooks.
rooks, who played in the English Premier League before Bournemouth's relegation in 2020, and who is considered one of his country's most promising talents, withdrew from the Wales squad through illness last week.
He thanked the medical staff for spotting potential symptoms and for the doctors who diagnosed him.
"I'd like to show my appreciation to the doctors, nurses, consultants and staff who have been treating me for their professionalism, warmth and understanding during this period," he added.
"I want to thank everyone at the Football Association of Wales because without the swift attention of their medical team we may not have detected the illness.
"I'd also like to say thank you to AFC Bournemouth for all of their support and assistance this past week."
