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| Hartson facing cancer treatment | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson has testicular cancer which has spread to his brain, it has been confirmed. | Former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson has testicular cancer which has spread to his brain, it has been confirmed. |
| The 34-year-old, who was capped by his country 51 times and retired last year, was diagnosed in hospital on Sunday. | |
| Hartson was capped 51 times for Wales and played for five years for Celtic. | Hartson was capped 51 times for Wales and played for five years for Celtic. |
| His consultant in Swansea said further test results would "establish a full picture" of his diagnosis and he faced "many months" of treatment. | |
| A course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy would start at the city's Singleton Hospital "as soon as possible". | |
| Dr Gianfilippo Bertelli, consultant medical oncologist for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, said Hartson had attended last Friday with symptoms consistent with testicular cancer. | |
| "A number of clinical tests were put in place and these have confirmed the presence of testicular cancer," he said. | |
| "Unfortunately, it has also been confirmed that this cancer has spread to Mr Hartson's brain. | |
| "We are awaiting the results of further tests to establish a full picture of Mr Hartson's diagnosis." | |
| It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player Celtic statement | It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player Celtic statement |
| Dr Bertelli added: "We realise that Mr Hartson is a much-loved figure and there are many fans and well-wishers who will be keen to hear news of his progress. | |
| "However, while treatment is ongoing we would ask that the privacy of Mr Hartson, and all the patients who attend our hospital, is respected." | "However, while treatment is ongoing we would ask that the privacy of Mr Hartson, and all the patients who attend our hospital, is respected." |
| Hartson's other former clubs included West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry City, West Brom, Norwich and Luton Town. | Hartson's other former clubs included West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry City, West Brom, Norwich and Luton Town. |
| His family released a statement saying: "All the family, and John's friends, are doing all we can to support him and praying that he will make a full recovery. | His family released a statement saying: "All the family, and John's friends, are doing all we can to support him and praying that he will make a full recovery. |
| "John is getting excellent care from the oncologists at the hospital as he begins his treatment. | "John is getting excellent care from the oncologists at the hospital as he begins his treatment. |
| "John is a family man and we appreciate all the messages of support we have already received." | "John is a family man and we appreciate all the messages of support we have already received." |
| 'Well-liked' | 'Well-liked' |
| His former club Celtic issued a statement of support. | His former club Celtic issued a statement of support. |
| "Clearly, everyone at the club fully supports John and his family at this extremely difficult time. | "Clearly, everyone at the club fully supports John and his family at this extremely difficult time. |
| "It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player." | "It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player." |
| He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him Andy Legg, ex-footballer | He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him Andy Legg, ex-footballer |
| Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs said: "He was one of our major heroes and really well-liked and appreciated by the fans. He always gave 100%. | Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs said: "He was one of our major heroes and really well-liked and appreciated by the fans. He always gave 100%. |
| "It's so sad that something like this could happen to someone so young. He is still a very young man and has a young family. | "It's so sad that something like this could happen to someone so young. He is still a very young man and has a young family. |
| "It's a real tragedy and we just wish him well with his treatment." | "It's a real tragedy and we just wish him well with his treatment." |
| Former Wales team-mate Andy Legg, who himself battled cancer, said he was "gobsmacked" by Hartson's diagnosis. | Former Wales team-mate Andy Legg, who himself battled cancer, said he was "gobsmacked" by Hartson's diagnosis. |
| "I was lost for words and didn't know what to say," he told BBC Radio Wales. | "I was lost for words and didn't know what to say," he told BBC Radio Wales. |
| "I'm hopefully going down to see John tomorrow. If I can be of any help in any way I'm here for him and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his family as well." | "I'm hopefully going down to see John tomorrow. If I can be of any help in any way I'm here for him and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his family as well." |
| Legg, who played for Cardiff City and Swansea and now manages Llanelli, said he believed Hartson would be in a good position to fight the cancer, being fit and having only recently retired from football. | Legg, who played for Cardiff City and Swansea and now manages Llanelli, said he believed Hartson would be in a good position to fight the cancer, being fit and having only recently retired from football. |
| "He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him," he added. | "He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him," he added. |
| This 2008 footage shows footballer John Hartson speaking about his retirement | This 2008 footage shows footballer John Hartson speaking about his retirement |
| Hartson was signed by then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill in 2001 for £6m and spent five years at Parkhead, scoring 89 goals. | Hartson was signed by then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill in 2001 for £6m and spent five years at Parkhead, scoring 89 goals. |
| He was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals and the Scottish Football Writers Association. | He was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals and the Scottish Football Writers Association. |
| During his international career, he scored 14 goals before stepping down in February 2006 to concentrate on his club football. | During his international career, he scored 14 goals before stepping down in February 2006 to concentrate on his club football. |
| Hartson made his Wales debut in March 1995 in an away match against Bulgaria, often leading the line as a lone striker, until his last game in November 2005 against Cyprus. | Hartson made his Wales debut in March 1995 in an away match against Bulgaria, often leading the line as a lone striker, until his last game in November 2005 against Cyprus. |
| He began his senior career at Luton in 1992 as a 17-year-old and the player's bustling style soon caught the eye of bigger clubs. | He began his senior career at Luton in 1992 as a 17-year-old and the player's bustling style soon caught the eye of bigger clubs. |
| Arsenal paid £2.5m for Hartson in January 1995. | Arsenal paid £2.5m for Hartson in January 1995. |
| A £3.3m move to their London rivals West Ham followed two years later, although that stay was marred by an altercation with team-mate Eyal Berkovic. | A £3.3m move to their London rivals West Ham followed two years later, although that stay was marred by an altercation with team-mate Eyal Berkovic. |
| In 1999 Wimbledon paid £7.5m for Hartson, while spells at Coventry, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich - on loan - followed before he announced his retirement as a player in February 2008. | In 1999 Wimbledon paid £7.5m for Hartson, while spells at Coventry, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich - on loan - followed before he announced his retirement as a player in February 2008. |
| When the 6ft 1in target man retired he said his biggest regret was not having played for his beloved Swansea City, the local club he had supported since a boy. | When the 6ft 1in target man retired he said his biggest regret was not having played for his beloved Swansea City, the local club he had supported since a boy. |
| Since his retirement as a player, Hartson has proved himself an articulate and knowledgeable football commentator for media outlets, including the BBC. | Since his retirement as a player, Hartson has proved himself an articulate and knowledgeable football commentator for media outlets, including the BBC. |
| Hartson seemed destined to move into football management and has been linked with vacant posts at the likes of Falkirk, Swansea and East Stirlingshire. | Hartson seemed destined to move into football management and has been linked with vacant posts at the likes of Falkirk, Swansea and East Stirlingshire. |