Kid from the acadamy at west ham...
funnily enough, my best mate is a big west ham fan and recently mentioned that a lot of people think he could make it to the PL and was one of our best players in the under 17's competition...
Football Federation Australia and West Ham United have revealed teenage striker Dylan Tombides is battling testicular cancer.
Tombides, 17, was diagnosed while on international duty at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico last month.
He returned to England immediately and has already begun his first course of chemotherapy at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
The treatment is set to continue, but Tombides is expected to make a full recovery.
'Dylan is receiving the best possible care,' West Ham United Club doctor Sean Howlett said.
'All the doctors involved have advised Dylan that he will make a full recovery in terms of his illness and his ability to return to his football career.'
'He is undergoing the standard series of treatments for his condition which is a course of chemotherapy.'
'Our hearts go out to Dylan and his family at this difficult time,' FFA CEO Ben Buckley said.
'We are heartened by the positive prognosis from the doctors and on behalf of the Australian football community we wish him a speedy recovery and return to the game.'
Tombides has been contacted by former Australia captain Craig Moore, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2008, but made a full recovery and returned to his playing career.
'I spoke to Dylan not long after the diagnosis and my message was that he should stay extremely positive,' Moore said.
'The success rates in treating this form of the disease are very high and I'm fortunate that I have the all clear.'
'It's tough for a teenager to deal with this, but Dylan has plenty of support from family and friends and I will be among many people who'll be there for him throughout this time.'
'I've told him to keep his head up and not to get too frustrated about missing his pre-season with West Ham. He's a quality player with a great attitude and he can overcome this challenge.'
Tombides was voted West Ham's Academy Player of the Season last term, earning a place on the bench in the club's final match of the English Premier League campaign.
He struck the winner during the Joey's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast during the Under-17 World Cup.
Tombides, 17, was diagnosed while on international duty at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico last month.
He returned to England immediately and has already begun his first course of chemotherapy at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
The treatment is set to continue, but Tombides is expected to make a full recovery.
'Dylan is receiving the best possible care,' West Ham United Club doctor Sean Howlett said.
'All the doctors involved have advised Dylan that he will make a full recovery in terms of his illness and his ability to return to his football career.'
'He is undergoing the standard series of treatments for his condition which is a course of chemotherapy.'
'Our hearts go out to Dylan and his family at this difficult time,' FFA CEO Ben Buckley said.
'We are heartened by the positive prognosis from the doctors and on behalf of the Australian football community we wish him a speedy recovery and return to the game.'
Tombides has been contacted by former Australia captain Craig Moore, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2008, but made a full recovery and returned to his playing career.
'I spoke to Dylan not long after the diagnosis and my message was that he should stay extremely positive,' Moore said.
'The success rates in treating this form of the disease are very high and I'm fortunate that I have the all clear.'
'It's tough for a teenager to deal with this, but Dylan has plenty of support from family and friends and I will be among many people who'll be there for him throughout this time.'
'I've told him to keep his head up and not to get too frustrated about missing his pre-season with West Ham. He's a quality player with a great attitude and he can overcome this challenge.'
Tombides was voted West Ham's Academy Player of the Season last term, earning a place on the bench in the club's final match of the English Premier League campaign.
He struck the winner during the Joey's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast during the Under-17 World Cup.