Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray diagnosed with cancer

Yeray, 21, has played 17 times this season. Credit: Reuters

Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez is suffering from testicular cancer, the Basque club have confirmed.

Yeray, 21, has become a regular at the San Mames this season, playing 17 times this season for the club in La Liga and Europa League.

The club's president Josu Urrutia said the player has a tumour on his testicle and will undergo surgery next week.

Club doctor Joxean Lekue confirmed the footballer will have the right testicle removed, saying he was optimistic of the outcome.

Many of team-mates took to Twitter to send him his best wishes, as both Mikel San Jose and Inaki Williams sent their support to Yeray.