Casillas, Cech lead other goalkeepers to pay emotional tributes to Super Eagles star who retired after missing 2018 World Cup
- Super Eagles star Carl Ikeme hangs gloves after recovering from deadly illness
- The 32-year-old was diagnosed with acute leukaemia last year and he missed the whole of last term including this year's World Cup in Russia
- He made 10 appearances for the Super Eagles before being incapacitated by the illness
Nigeria international Carl Ikeme announced his retirement from football earlier today having gone through a difficult year on the sick bed.
The 32-year-old was diagnosed with acute Leukaemia last summer while preparing for the 2017-18 league season with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A sickness that made him miss the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament staged in Russia and which was eventually won by France.
READ ALSO: Liverpool boss Klopp lashes back at Jose Mourinho after over £176.75m this summer
However, after his announcement earlier today, some of the biggest names in the goalkeeping world paid tribute to the Super Eagles and Wolves shotstopper.
Barcelona star Marc Ter Stegen, Iker Casillas, Joe Hart and Peter Schmeichel all showed their support for the shotstopper in a recorded message.
Recently, the 32-year-old won the battle against leukaemia after being given a green light by the medical team but has decided to retire to spend more time with his family.
When he was diagnosed with the life threatening disease, his club put word around the goalkeepers' union asking for players from across the globe and covering all levels to take part in sending Ikeme their best wishes.
And the response surprised everyone - with Petr Cech, Jack Butland, David Seaman and the entire Leicester goalkeeping staff among others getting involved.
Ex-Wolves team-mate Boaz Myhill started the tribute breaking into song: "There's only one Carl Ikeme."
And he was followed by the scores of others who play the position all repeating the same mantra.
Ikeme made 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions, with over 200 of them coming for Wolves, the club he joined in 2000 as a 14-year-old.
The stopper went on to win two promotions, and ten international caps for Nigeria.
PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone
Ikeme said: "Speaking to the doctor, he said I should retire, just because the treatment and the toll it's taken on my body.
"I can't really risk trying to come back, I just want to be here for my children and family and friends.
"It's difficult when you look back at the things you've gone through in your football career but in the grand scheme of things with your life in danger, it's the minimum price to pay to have a life with my family."
Premier League new-boys Wolves posted an emotive statement on their club website following the announcement.
Managing director Laurie Dalrymple said: “While this news will undoubtedly leave the Wolves family feeling sadness for someone they care about deeply, it also gives us the opportunity to celebrate an exceptional career and a true servant of this football club.
"A brilliant goalkeeper who deservedly earned promotions and international caps, Carl’s exemplary application on the pitch was matched off it by tireless hard work and a positive attitude that will continue to be an inspiration for young players coming through our Academy for many years to come.
NAIJ.com previously reported that Nigeria and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme announced his retirement from football earlier today after surviving acute leukaemia.
The 32-year-old was diagnosed with the life threatening disease in the summer of 2017 during their preseason preparations for last term.
He was immediately taken to the hospital where he received treatment for close to a year before eventually hanging his gloves this summer.
Russia 2018: Nigerians predict Super Eagles chances at the World Cup - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng