Former Man Utd striker Andrew Cole has kidney transplant
Operation is 'part of treatment' as Premier League's third-highest scorer in history battles kidney disease
Former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole has undergone a kidney transplant, the club have confirmed.
Cole, 45, was diagnosed in 2015 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which causes scarring of the kidney and impacts on levels of protein in the body, and has been battling the condition ever since. United said the operation was "part of his treatment" for the illness.
He "will be taking a break" from his role as an ambassador for the club, they added, calling for the former player to be given privacy during his recovery.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cole, who began his career at Arsenal and also played for Newcastle, played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford between 1995 and 2001, scoring 121 goals in 275 games and winning every major trophy.
With 187 goals to his name, he remains the third-highest scorer in Premier League history, reports The Sun. He also won 15 England caps during a 19-year career that also saw him play for Bristol City, Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Sunderland, Burnley and Nottingham Forest
The former England international spoke about his condition following his diagnosis in 2015 - and the death of [1]All Black rugby legend Jonah Lomu from kidney disease - saying the treatment was "tough going".
Michael Calvin in The Independent wrote at the time: "He put on excessive weight due to his medication, following three weeks in hospital, and was confronted by the casual cruelty of strangers.
"Abused on social media and antagonised on the streets, he was dehumanised by his familiarity as a renowned Manchester United player.
"But his candour is important, since his status facilitates the sharing of thought-provoking experience. By talking so openly about the exhausting nature of his treatment, and the impact of vindictive mockery, he invites us to count our blessings and offers implicit support to fellow sufferers.
"The mortality of celebrated athletes always comes as a shock, and Cole had every reason to dwell on the personal relevance of Jonah Lomu's tragically premature death."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published
-
Manchester United: does Erik ten Hag have the ‘golden touch’?
feature Prevailing mood at Old Trafford was reminiscent of ‘how it felt during the golden years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign’
By The Week Staff Last updated