A beloved former Premier League goalkeeper is facing the toughest battle of his life after receiving two devastating diagnoses.
Russell Hoult, 52, is now in palliative care following confirmation that he has both primary sclerosing cholangitis and stage four bile duct cancer - both terminal conditions.
The ex-Derby County and West Bromwich Albion star first learned about the liver disease in September 2023. But things took an even more heartbreaking turn when doctors discovered the bile duct cancer in August 2024.
It's been incredibly difficult for his family to process this double blow.
Russell Hoult, 52, is now in palliative care following confirmation that he has both primary sclerosing cholangitis and stage four bile duct cancer
|GETTY
Hoult built an impressive career spanning two decades across England's top four divisions. He started at Leicester City before loan spells with clubs like Lincoln City, Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers.
His breakthrough came at Derby County in the mid-to-late 1990s, where he became a fan favourite. The 6ft 3in keeper played a crucial role in their 1996 promotion to the Premier League, making 138 appearances for the Rams and featuring 67 times in the top flight.
After Portsmouth, Hoult enjoyed another Premier League stint with West Brom, earning a spot in the 2001/02 First Division PFA Team of the Year during their promotion campaign.
JUST IN: Premier League round up as Nick Woltemade grabs debut Newcastle goal and Bournemouth beat Brentford
The former goalkeeper earned a spot in the 2001/02 First Division PFA Team of the Year
|GETTY
His 24-year-old twins Kayleigh and Carter are channeling their emotions into something positive by taking on the Leicester Half Marathon on October 26.
They're raising funds for AMMF - The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity, the UK's only organisation dedicated to bile duct cancer research and awareness.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
The response has been overwhelming. More than 368 people have donated so far, pushing their total past £7,800. They initially aimed for £8,000, but it looks like they could smash through that target.
"We want to do something positive not only to support him but also to help others facing the same disease," Kayleigh explained on their JustGiving page.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Russell Hoult's 24-year-old twins Kayleigh and Carter are taking on the Leicester Half Marathon on October 26
|The twins describe their dad as an absolute legend who never lets his illness dampen his spirits.
"There is never a dull moment with my dad - even through the toughest times he is so positive and happy," Kayleigh told the BBC.
"He is such a laugh and loves to crack jokes every day of his life."
She added that football was his life, and he still tries to play golf when he's feeling up to it.
"He is a character and never takes life seriously, he has good days and bad days but he is not giving up. He is a warrior and this helps our family to keep strong also."