Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme diagnosed with leukaemia, footballing world unites in support

Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia and will begin chemotherapy immediately, the club said on Thursday. Abnormal blood tests were taken during the Championship club's pre-season training and further medical investigation has revealed the 31-year-old is suffering from leukaemia.

"It would be an understatement to say that everyone at Wolves has been shocked and saddened to hear the news of Carl's diagnosis," said Wolves' managing director Laurie Dalrymple. "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."

The goalkeeping world showed its support to Ikeme on Twitter:

#KeepStrong  @Carl_Ikeme
All goalkeepers and the football family are with you! pic.twitter.com/gBKKVcaD0Q

— David De Gea (@D_DeGea) July 7, 2017

Mucha mucha fuerza @Carl_Ikeme !!
Te mando un gran abrazo!!  pic.twitter.com/49A1bBUygp

— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) July 6, 2017

be strong big man  https://t.co/ctsOikjUoW

— Jack Butland (@JackButland_One) July 6, 2017

So sad to hear that @Carl_Ikeme has been diagnosed with leukemia,, best wishes big man, stay strong

— Ben Foster (@BenFoster) July 6, 2017

Stay strong and positive big man @Carl_Ikeme You will beat this disease and come back stronger #GKunion 

— Shay Given (@No1shaygiven) July 6, 2017

All the best @Carl_Ikeme ...  https://t.co/4G9x8PbWXF

— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) July 6, 2017

Stay strong Carl Ikeme, I am sure you will overcome this battle!

— Asmir Begovic (@asmir1) July 6, 2017

Very sad to hear of the illness of @Carl_Ikeme, #KeepStrong and keep fighting, we are all behind you! pic.twitter.com/c47sO1VV74

— Loris Karius (@LorisKarius) July 7, 2017

Thoughts are with you and your family bigman @Carl_Ikeme 

— Marcus Bettinelli (@marcusbettss) July 7, 2017

Thoughts are with you @Carl_Ikeme I know the journey you n your family are about to embark on! If you need any advice dont hesitate to call

— Joe Thompson (@JJL_Thompson) July 6, 2017

A tweet simply is too short to express my thoughts about @Carl_Ikeme . So I wrote on my Facebook... https://t.co/mnTtWDLY7y#KeepStrong 

— Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1) July 7, 2017

My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Great person who is always positive. Be strong, praying for you! @Carl_Ikeme

— Ali Al-Habsi (@AliAlhabsi) July 7, 2017

Ikeme, who was born in England but been capped 10 times by Nigeria, has made more than 200 appearances for Wolves.

(Inputs from Reuters)