London, Mar 31: Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
His condition was diagnosed on Thursday after the 32-year-old developed a fever following a match against Arsenal on Saturday, reports Daily Mail.
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which we need to fight off infections.
Symptoms can include pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, and having repeated infections over a short space of time.
Acute leukaemia means that the condition is progressing rapidly and aggressively and requires immediate treatment.
It's a rare condition with just 2,400 new cases diagnosed each year.
A statement from the football club said: 'We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family.
'During this time we ask that Stiliyan's privacy is placed ahead of all inquiries and trust that we will share information as we receive it.
'Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion.'
The news comes just 12 days after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest while playing against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and two days after Barcelona player Eric Abidal underwent a liver transplant.
Football has been rocked by a third shock illness to a player within just two weeks after Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
His condition was diagnosed yesterday after the 32-year-old developed a fever following a match against Arsenal on Saturday.
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which we need to fight off infections.
Symptoms can include pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, and having repeated infections over a short space of time.
Acute leukaemia means that the condition is progressing rapidly and aggressively and requires immediate treatment.
It's a rare condition with just 2,400 new cases diagnosed each year.
A statement from the football club said: 'We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family.
'During this time we ask that Stiliyan's privacy is placed ahead of all inquiries and trust that we will share information as we receive it.
'Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion.'
The news comes just 12 days after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest while playing against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and two days after Barcelona player Eric Abidal underwent a liver transplant.
Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas, who was at Villa on loan this season, also wrote on the social networking site.
He said: 'Just saw the news about Stan petrov one of the nicest guys in football! Thoughts with him and his lovely family.'
The Bulgarian international and midfielder has made 29 appearances for the club this season but reported feeling unwell following the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
He was born in the Bulgarian city of Montana and started his career at CSKA Sofia in his home country.
In 1999 he sealed a dream £2million move to the SPL with John Barnes's Celtic.
He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Glasgow club before following manager Martin O'Neill to the Midlands in 2006 for £6.5 million.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon wrote: 'Stiliyan has the heart of a lion and as part of the Celtic family he deserves all our best wishes and support.
'Absolutely inconsolable here regarding Stiliyan.He will overcome this like all the other barriers he faced in his life.'
