Athletic Bilbao Offer Positive Update on Defender Yeray Alvarez Following Cancer Treatment

Athletic Bilbao have offered a positive update on the progress of 22-year-old defender Yeray Alvarez after a course of chemotherapy to battle testicular cancer.

Alvarez was first diagnosed midway through last season and underwent surgery in late December, returning to action a La Liga clash with Barcelona at the start of February.

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But further tests in June showed cancerous abnormalities, forcing the Basque-native to withdraw from Spain's squad at the summer's Under-21 European Championship.

But following his latest treatment, Alvarez appears to be doing well.

Releasing a short statement on Thursday morning, Athletic explained the scheduled treatment has now reached its conclusion and that Alvarez will be discharged.

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His journey back to football then begins, with 'progressive incorporation to the team' planned.

The 2016/17 campaign was Alvarez first for Athletic at first-team level. He has previously played at lower league level for Basconia as a teenager, while he enjoyed two years with Athletic's B team between 20014 and 2016.