Birmingham, England – Aston Villa announced Friday that club captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukemia.
The 32-year-old developed a fever following Villa's match against Arsenal last Saturday and subsequently underwent medical testing. Hematology exerts confirmed the diagnosis.
"We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family," the club said in a statement.
Petrov joined the Villans in 2006 from Scottish side Celtic and signed a four- year deal with the club in 2009.
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