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Union Berlin's Benjamin Köhler recovers from cancer

July 23, 2015

Great news from German football as second division player Benjamin Köhler, currently under contract at Union Berlin, has recovered from cancer.

https://p.dw.com/p/1G3eB
Deutschland 2. Fußball Bundesliga Benjamin Köhler von Union Berlin
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Gambarini

Benjamin Köhler of German second-division side Union Berlin revealed he has overcome a rare form cancer.

"I am healthy!" Köhler, 34, said in a statement after six months of treatment, including chemotherapy, for Hodgkin's lymphoma after a tumour was discovered in his stomach in February of this year.

"Thanks to all the fans for the many positive messages that have given me so much strength," Köhler's message read. He went on to thank his friends and family but also Union Berlin, who reacted to news of his illness by extending his expiring contract by a year.

Union Berlin's media manager Christian Arbeit said Köhler would first go on holiday and then there would be discussions about when he could return to training.

jh/rd (dpa)