British soccer player Joe Thompson dead at 36 following third battle with cancer

Former British soccer performer Joe Thompson died this week after battling cancer for the third time in more than a decade his wife reported on social media He was just Thompson who officially retired from the sport in died in the early morning hours on Thursday at home surrounded by his family The news of his passing came a year after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma It was his third cancer determination since CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COM Joe has made such an impact on so plenty of people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds Chantelle Thompson wrote in a post on Instagram Friday He was the preponderance Incredible husband son brother friend father to our beautiful daughters who will now carry his light and legacy on and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe s love every single day Thompson a former Manchester United academy participant made more than appearances for local club Rochdale The club issued a announcement following his death OLYMPIC MEDALIST GABRIELA DABROWSKI REVEALS WHY 'CANCER HAD TO HAPPEN TO ME We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer but we would soon grow to adore his loving infectious personality the message read in part He faced every battle head-on both on and off the pitch His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everyone who has been touched by his story Above all of that Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an incredible father to Thailula and Athena Rae Our thoughts are with Joe s family and friends at this incredibly sad time Thompson was first diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma in He underwent medicine and returned to the pitch the following season for Bury Football Club The cancer returned in but he again underwent thriving rehabilitation and returned just nine months later It s been a long battle and one that he fought with all his might and he did things HIS way He choose his path and walked every step with courage and pride growing closer and closer to god each day whilst still being there for so multiple others Chantelle Thompson s comment continued He held on to his plans for the future to continue that legacy but It s now time for him to rest up and watch over us from heaven Thompson is survived by his wife and their two young daughters Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter