His long way to recovery has now kicked off following a successful surgery to remove his cancerous testicle on Tuesday, December 27.

According to the club’s statement, the Spanish player had surgery at the Hospital de Cruces.

Athletic Bilbao say the procedure had gone as planned and that the play would remain in the hospital recovering for the next 24 hours before being allowed to leave on Wednesday.

“Yeray Alvarez has been operated in the 'Hospital de Cruces. The surgery has gone without incidents,” the La Liga club said in a statement on Twitter.

The 21-year-old, who made his senior debut for the club on September 15, took to his Instagram top thank fans and well-wishers for their kind messages.

“Thanks to everyone for their messages and their support, I'm very grateful. I'm certain that everything is going to go well and that I will return stronger,” the defender wrote.

An expected date of return to action has not been revealed by the club.