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Barcelona have confirmed defender Eric Abidal is to undergo a liver transplant.
The France international had liver surgery a year ago after being diagnosed with a tumour.
A statement on Barcelona's official website read: "In the coming weeks, the player will undergo a liver transplant."
The club statement said: "Given the development of his medical condition, Abidal will undergo a liver transplant in the following weeks.
"The transplant is an option that has been considered since the beginning of his treatment, one year ago.
"At the express wish of the player, the club requested the utmost respect for the right to privacy and confidentiality."
Barcelona did not give any indication of for how long Abidal would be out of action.
The 32-year-old underwent surgery last March but returned to play in Barcelona's Champions League final win over Manchester United, and has been a first-team regular this season.
He has started 20 Primera Division games this term, although he has not played since suffering a hip injury playing for France in their friendly win over Germany at the start of the month.
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol admitted the news was a "rude awakening" for the squad, but backed him to return from this latest setback.
"We had a meeting minutes before going on to the pitch," Spain defender Puyol said. "It was a rude awakening. Eric was at the meeting. We then talked to him, and logically that stays in the dressing room."
Puyol claimed Abidal was in good spirits.
"It is him who encourages us. His attitude is an example," he added.
"We are confident that he will come out of this. We will give him all the strength we have and we will support him and his family. I am convinced that soon he will be fine.
"He is very strong, he showed that last season and will prove it again.
"It's a major blow. We had the news last season and now we get it again. But this will make us even stronger."
Abidal has been a first-team regular this season, starting 20 Primera Division games, although he has not played since suffering what was described as a hip injury playing for France in their friendly win over Germany at the start of the month.
Another of Abidal's team-mates, Gerard Pique, also backed the Frenchman to return stronger than ever.
He posted on his Twitter account: "And you will return as always, still the best! You are an example for all! £ animoabidal."
The Catalan giants have 12 games left to play this season in the Primera Division and are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Click here for our Football Transfer Centre!
Click here for more football news and transfer gossip!
Click here now to play Fantasy Football!
Barcelona have confirmed defender Eric Abidal is to undergo a liver transplant.
The France international had liver surgery a year ago after being diagnosed with a tumour.
A statement on Barcelona's official website read: "In the coming weeks, the player will undergo a liver transplant."
The club statement said: "Given the development of his medical condition, Abidal will undergo a liver transplant in the following weeks.
"The transplant is an option that has been considered since the beginning of his treatment, one year ago.
"At the express wish of the player, the club requested the utmost respect for the right to privacy and confidentiality."
Barcelona did not give any indication of for how long Abidal would be out of action.
The 32-year-old underwent surgery last March but returned to play in Barcelona's Champions League final win over Manchester United, and has been a first-team regular this season.
He has started 20 Primera Division games this term, although he has not played since suffering a hip injury playing for France in their friendly win over Germany at the start of the month.
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol admitted the news was a "rude awakening" for the squad, but backed him to return from this latest setback.
"We had a meeting minutes before going on to the pitch," Spain defender Puyol said. "It was a rude awakening. Eric was at the meeting. We then talked to him, and logically that stays in the dressing room."
Puyol claimed Abidal was in good spirits.
"It is him who encourages us. His attitude is an example," he added.
"We are confident that he will come out of this. We will give him all the strength we have and we will support him and his family. I am convinced that soon he will be fine.
"He is very strong, he showed that last season and will prove it again.
"It's a major blow. We had the news last season and now we get it again. But this will make us even stronger."
Abidal has been a first-team regular this season, starting 20 Primera Division games, although he has not played since suffering what was described as a hip injury playing for France in their friendly win over Germany at the start of the month.
Another of Abidal's team-mates, Gerard Pique, also backed the Frenchman to return stronger than ever.
He posted on his Twitter account: "And you will return as always, still the best! You are an example for all! £ animoabidal."
The Catalan giants have 12 games left to play this season in the Primera Division and are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.