“It’s with the best unhappiness that we report that our good friend and teammate Miguel Van Damme misplaced the combat in his lengthy and uneven battle towards leukemia,” the membership stated in an announcement.

“Phrases aren’t sufficient to explain what we really feel, regardless that we knew that issues had not gone properly for some time. In the present day is an especially troublesome day within the virtually 123-year historical past of Cercle Brugge,” it added, sending condolences to the goalkeeper’s spouse Kyana, daughter Camille, in addition to his mother and father, sister, family and friends.

Van Damme was recognized with leukemia in 2016 and underwent a number of programs of therapy for the most cancers over 5 years.

“Miguel, your perseverance and power to go for it many times, setback after setback, was admirable. You’re an instance of positivism, persistence and preventing spirit. A supply of inspiration for everybody who fights. Perpetually in our green-black coronary heart, #16,” the membership added.

Spanish big Actual Madrid stated in an announcement that it “profoundly laments” the demise of Van Damme and that it “expresses its condolences and care and affection to all of his relations and family members, his membership and teammates.”
Van Damme’s associate paid tribute to him on Instagram, writing that the objective keeper “fought like a lion” towards his sickness.

“Our dearest darling, daddy left for his final match final night time, a match that may now not be gained. You left us very slowly, but you probably did it once more in your individual manner… very sturdy. You fought like a lion,” Kyana Dobbelaere wrote.

“We’re so grateful for who you have been. An instance for a lot of. You’ve gotten made me notice that there is no such thing as a such factor as giving up, even when there was solely that one small glimmer of success, again and again you bought over it. Relaxation now darling, you may have greater than earned it, you at the moment are free of all ache,” she added.