Goalkeeper Miguel Van Damme dies from cancer at age 28

Cercle Brugge goalkeeper Miguel Van Damme passed away today, after a five year long battle with leukaemia. This was confirmed by his wife Kyana Dobbelaere on Instagram.

Van Damme joined Cercle Brugge in 2013 and made his debut in the Jupiler Pro League the year after. The goalkeeper impressed and became a mainstay in the first team when Cercle was demoted to the second division, the Proximus League.

But disaster struck during the build-up to season 2016/17, when Van Damme was diagnosed with leukaemia after a medical test. After several rounds of chemotherapy, he announced that he had overcome the disease. In 2019, Van Damme relapsed and recovered again, and secured a new contract at Cercle Brugge.

The goalkeeper played his last game for Cercle during the 2019 play-offs. The process of relapsing and recovering continued until October of last year, when Van Damme was diagnosed with leukaemia for the fifth and final time. 

His story was shared in national and international press, due to his remarkable strength and resilience during his battle with cancer. Van Damme leaves behind a wife and daughter.

© BELGA PHOTO CHRISTOPHE KETELS