Wigan's Juan Carlos Garcia Diagnosed with Leukaemia

Wigan Athletic defender Juan Carlos Garcia has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Latics boss Malky Mackay confirmed the 26-year-old's illness after the club announced Garcia was in hospital with a blood disorder last week. Mackay provided details on Garcia's diagnosis, per the Press Association (via Eurosport):

"

We've had some bad news as far as that's concerned - he has a form of leukaemia. Juan Carlos is in the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

The club doctor, Doctor (Ansar) Zaman, has been truly sensational as far as the care and attention with the whole dealing of the matter as far as Juan Carlos feeling ill and having problems—from that point to the point where we got him to a specialist quickly and got the diagnosis done.

"

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Garcia has spent this season on loan at Spanish club Tenerife but will now remain in England.

Mackay indicated the club have "flown his mother, his wife and his sister over from Honduras to be with him and arranged accommodation close to the hospital as well."

Garcia is the latest professional footballer to be diagnosed with cancer. Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov and Newcastle United's Jonas Gutierrez have recently recovered from leukaemia and testicular cancer, respectively. 

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As reported by the PA (h/t Eurosport), Mackay suggested Garcia remains "incredibly upbeat" and that the Championship club will ensure "he gets the best care possible."