Porto's Iker Casillas, Manchester United's David De Gea and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen led the tributes after the sad announcement.

A club statement confirmed the 31-year-old will now begin an immediate course of chemotherapy after he returned an abnormal blood test following his return to pre-season training.

Support for the Nigerian international has flooded in on social media, with players eager to pay tribute to the popular gentle giant.

#KeepStrong 👐🏽 @Carl_Ikeme

All goalkeepers and the football family are with you! pic.twitter.com/gBKKVcaD0Q — David De Gea (@D_DeGea) July 7, 2017

Mucha mucha fuerza @Carl_Ikeme !!

Te mando un gran abrazo!! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/49A1bBUygp — Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) July 6, 2017

be strong big man 🙏🏼 https://t.co/ctsOikjUoW — Jack Butland (@JackButland_One) July 6, 2017

So sad to hear that @Carl_Ikeme has been diagnosed with leukemia,, best wishes big man, stay strong😘 — Ben Foster (@BenFoster) July 6, 2017

Stay strong and positive big man @Carl_Ikeme You will beat this disease and come back stronger #GKunion 🙌 — Shay Given (@No1shaygiven) July 6, 2017

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Stay strong Carl Ikeme, I am sure you will overcome this battle! — Asmir Begovic (@asmir1) July 6, 2017

Very sad to hear of the illness of @Carl_Ikeme, #KeepStrong👐🏼 and keep fighting, we are all behind you! pic.twitter.com/c47sO1VV74 — Loris Karius (@LorisKarius) July 7, 2017

Thoughts are with you and your family bigman @Carl_Ikeme 🙏🏻 — Marcus Bettinelli (@marcusbettss) July 7, 2017

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Thoughts are with you @Carl_Ikeme I know the journey you n your family are about to embark on! If you need any advice dont hesitate to call💙 — Joe Thompson (@JJL_Thompson) July 6, 2017

A tweet simply is too short to express my thoughts about @Carl_Ikeme . So I wrote on my Facebook... https://t.co/mnTtWDLY7y#KeepStrong 👐🏽 — Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1) July 7, 2017

My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Great person who is always positive. Be strong, praying for you! @Carl_Ikeme — Ali Al-Habsi (@AliAlhabsi) July 7, 2017

Ikeme came through the club's academy ranks at Wolves, making his first team debut in a 2005 League Cup tie when he was 19.

In 2015 the Sutton Coldfield-born keeper made a shock international debut for Nigeria, who he qualifies for through his father.

Ikeme called it a 'dream come true' and he's since become the regular number one keeper for the Super Eagles.

Wolves have encouraged fans to send their messages of support to fans@wolves.co.uk.

He has made over 200 appearances for the club and hopefully many more to come.