Former Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop says he is recovering well after he underwent surgery to remove a tumour in his arm.
The 30-year-old – who represented Greek Super League outfit Asteras Tripolis last season but is now out of contract – felt what he described as sharp pain in his arm from February, causing an initial bout of surgery.
Fulop, who made 41 Premier League appearances for Sunderland from 2007-08 to 2009-10 and was also on the books of Manchester City, Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion, returned to playing shortly after the operation.
But he was later informed that a malignant tumour was found in the operated arm, forcing him to undergo surgery again.
With the tumour being spotted early, there was no risk of it spreading through the rest of his body, and although Fulop will undergo post-operative treatment, he is expected to return to full fitness after a period away from football.
The Hungarian will return to Budapest to be with his family during that time, insisting that he did not want to put his Greek club in a difficult situation surround his future.
He also backed himself to return to professional football and thanked fans for their messages on a Facebook page spreading awareness about his condition.
He said in a statement: My contract in Greece has come to an end and with a successful season behind me there were some great career opportunities put in front of me.
But for the time being I cannot dwell on these, and I wouldn t want to put a club s management in such an awkward situation that they have to deal with my problem.
I am sure however, that after a few months I will be ready both physically and mentally, to continue playing football. What is more, I d like to train between the treatment courses, as the doctors have said this is fine, and, in fact, they heartily recommend it.
I am very grateful for all the messages and good wishes (on Facebook) it really helps me during this period that many are thinking of me.
