Athletic Bilbao squad shave heads in solidarity with cancer-stricken teammate

Madrid (AFP) – The entire Athletic Bilbao squad have shaved their heads in solidarity with teammate Yeray Alvarez, who is undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

The team surprised the 22-year-old midfielder, who was forced to withdraw from the Spain Under-21 side last month after suffering a relapse, with their new look as he arrived at the club’s dressing room for a visit.

The club also posted a photo on Twitter of the entire squad arm-in-arm along with the caption “we are with you Yeray”.

“We want him to feel as comfortable as possible here and we did this not only for Yeray but for all families that suffer from this disease,” midfielder Oscar de Marcos told a press conference.

Alvarez is “doing well” and is “proving that he is a very strong person”, he added.

Alvarez thanked his teammates in a message posted on Instagram that said: “What happens in this family is crazy.”

He was diagnosed with a tumour on his right testicle last year and had the organ removed in December.  

A routine medical carried out last month revealed an anomaly which doctors decided required chemotherapy.