Belgian footballer Miguel Van Damme has lost his battle with leukemia, at the age of 28, leaving behind his wife and young daughter.

“It is with the greatest sadness that we report that our friend and teammate Miguel Van Damme lost the fight in his long and uneven battle against leukemia,” the club said in a statement.

“Words are not enough to describe what we feel, even though we knew that things had not gone well for a while. Today is an extremely difficult day in the almost 123-year history of Cercle Brugge,” it added, sending condolences to the goalkeeper’s wife Kyana, daughter Camille, as well as his parents, sister, friends and family.

He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016 and undertook numerous courses of treatment for the cancer.

“Miguel, your perseverance and strength to go for it again and again, setback after setback, was admirable. You are an example of positivism, persistence and fighting spirit. A source of inspiration for everyone who fights. Forever in our green-black heart, #16,” the club added.

Real Madrid issued an statement that it “profoundly laments” the death of Van Damme and that it “expresses its condolences and care and affection to all of his family members and loved ones, his club and teammates.”

He and wife Kyana Dobbelaere became parents to daughter Camille last year.

Dobbelaere wrote on Instagram: “Our dearest darling, daddy left for his last match last night, a match that can no longer be won. You left us very slowly, yet you did it again in your own way… very strong.

“You fought like a lion. We are so thankful for who you were. An example for many. You have made me realise that there is no such thing as giving up, even if there was only that one small glimmer of success, time and again you got over it.

“Rest now darling you have more than earned it, you are now freed from all pain.”