Former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville is critically ill in hospital after emergency surgery.
The 58-year-old was the club’s first black player when he signed in 1981 and scored 15 goals in 103 games before retiring with a knee injury aged 25.
The Blues have wished him a rapid recovery, saying he “holds a major place in Chelsea history”.
A statement from the Paul Canoville Foundation asked people to keep him in their thoughts.
A message on behalf of our Trustees and @Kingcanners family. We know @ChelseaFC the Football World at large and all those in the charity sector where he works so hard will join us in sending prayers and positive thoughts 💙 #Canners pic.twitter.com/dStOISrl8x
— Paul Canoville Foundation (@_PCFoundation) February 3, 2021
“We are sad to advise that our founder Paul Canoville is critically ill in hospital after complications set in after emergency surgery,” it said.