Highly-rated Norwich City goalkeeper Dan Barden, 20, reveals he has been diagnosed with testicular cancer – and the ‘shocked’ Premier League star will step away from football for treatment
- Dan Barden says support of friends and family has helped him in last few weeks
- He also thanked the medical departments of both Norwich and Livingston
- Barden said he is confident he will beat testicular cancer and play football again
- Medical staff caught the cancer early and the prognosis is a positive one
Norwich goalkeeper Dan Barden has been diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The 20-year-old is currently on-loan at Scottish Premiership side Livingston but will be taking a break from football. His diagnosis is the second to rock football in the space of a week after Bournemouth star David Brooks announced he has stage two Hodgkin lymphoma.
‘It has been a very difficult and challenging period, but the support of my family, friends and colleagues has helped get me through the last few weeks,’ Barden told Norwich’s official club website.
He will be closely monitored on a treatment programme after undergoing follow up tests following the initial diagnosis.
‘I can’t thank the medical departments at both Norwich and Livingston enough, as well as everyone at the Royal Marsden Hospital,’ the goalkeeper added.
‘The speed at which everything has moved has been crazy, but everyone has been absolutely brilliant with me. Both Daniel Farke and the Livingston manager, David Martindale, have also been very supportive.
Norwich City goalkeeper Dan Barden, 20, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer
Barden (left) has been on loan from the Premier League club with Scottish side Livingston
‘The initial diagnosis was a real shock for me, but the positive thing is that we’ve caught it early and the prognosis and next steps have all been positive.
‘I’m optimistic and have a positive mindset. I’m confident that I’ll be able to beat it and that I’ll be back out there doing what I love soon.
‘I’d like to thank everyone around me for their support. I know that the coming period will be challenging and would ask for privacy for me and my family at this stage. Where possible, I’ll do what I can to update on my progress.’
Canaries sporting director Stuart Webber said: ‘Everyone at Norwich City wishes Dan a speedy recovery. Our love and thoughts are with him and his family as he starts this latest challenge in his life.
Barden is on loan from Norwich at Livingston and thanked both clubs for their support
Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber wished Barden well on behalf of the club
‘Dan is part of our family and we look out for our own. He knows we are with him every step of the way.
‘The care and attention Dan has had so far has been top class. We thank everyone who has looked out for him and we are grateful for Livingston for acting on Dan’s symptoms and alerting us.
‘We can’t wait to welcome Dan back to Carrow Road and the Lotus Training Centre.’
It has been a shocking week for football with 24-year-old Wales international Brooks also revealing his diagnosis.
It was confirmed that he has Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma, an uncommon form of cancer.
Bournemouth player David Brooks has been diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma
Brooks, who has earned 21 caps for his country since his debut in 2017, will undergo treatment next week after an initial positive prognosis.
He said in a message on the club’s website: ‘This is a very difficult message for me to write.
‘I have been diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma and will begin a course of treatment next week.
‘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.’