Dead at just 20 from testicular cancer, the Premier League footballer with a brilliant future who only got to play one top-flight match



Dylan Tombides was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2011

He fought the disease for three years having surgery and chemotherapy



The Australian footballer died today with his family at his bedside



A young West Ham striker has died after a three year battle with testicular cancer.

Dylan Tombides, 20, passed away today with his family at his bedside.



The Australian footballer was first diagnosed with cancer while representing Australia during the 2011 Under 17 World Cup in Mexico.

Dylan Tombides, a 20-year-old West Ham striker, has died after a three year battle with testicular cancer



Tombides was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and he died in April with his family at his bedside. He is pictured (second right) with his father, Jim, brother, Taylor, and mother, Tracylee He fought the disease for three years but has sadly lost his battle.

West Ham released a statement which read: 'West Ham United announce the sad news that forward Dylan Tombides has passed away at the age of 20 following his brave battle with cancer. 'Dylan passed away on Friday morning with his family by his side having courageously fought the disease for three years after initially being diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011.' RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next 'The NHS pays for boob jobs but won't save my little girl':... BBC newsreader George Alagiah is diagnosed with bowel cancer... Share this article Share Perth-born Tombides was regarded as one of the most exciting young players to come out of Australia after signing with West Ham as a 14-year-old. After being diagnosed with cancer he battled back to make his first-team début in a League Cup match against Wigan in 2012. His death will be marked by a minute's applause before West Ham's home match against Crystal Palace this weekend. Dylan Tombides was viewed as one of the best players to come out of Australia. He is pictured sending a birthday message to his mother after scoring in the U17 World Cup in 2011

Before he passed away, Dylan took to Twitter to thank fans for their support



Tombides was told he has cancer while in Cancun, Mexico, with his father.

A random drugs test following a match against Uzbekistan has uncovered a tumour on one of his testicles.

In an interview he explained: ‘I was 17, a young man and I had never come across cancer. All I was thinking about was getting in the West Ham team and taking my driving test.

Since Tombides' death, tributes have poured in for the young footballer

'All I ever wanted to be was a top professional footballer with West Ham. I copped one in my groin against Brazil at the World Cup and I knew that I had a problem, but I had no idea it was cancer.



‘It was only when I took the phone call in Cancun that I realised just how serious the condition was.



'I had the blood tests and CT scans when I got back to England and they told me I needed to have a testicle removed immediately.'



FIFA president Sepp Blatter led the messages of condolences to Tombides' family tweeting: 'My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Dylan Tombides'. He is pictured showing off a surgical scar in May 2012

Football mad: Dylan shows off his West Ham and Australia shirts to cameraman Alan Walter

Tombides has a 45 minute operation to remove the tumour and then spent weeks in St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, having chemotherapy.



His mother, Traceylee, said in an earlier interview: 'It was a period of helplessness. As a parent we wanted to protect our kids, but we had no control.



'I often thought cancer would happen in the lives of our family at some point, but not my kids.’



FIFA president Sepp Blatter led the messages of condolences to Tombides' family by tweeting: 'My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Dylan Tombides, @whufc_official & @FFA today. Rest in peace Dylan.'



TESTICULAR CANCER: THE FACTS

Testicular cancer is most common in men aged 15 to 44 and affects 2,000 each year in the UK.

The most common symptom is a lump or swelling in one testicle, but 20 per cent of patients also experience pain in their testicles or lower abdomen.

A feeling of 'heaviness' in the scrotum is another symptom.

People with an undescended testicle have a greater risk of testicular cancer as do people with a family history of the disease.

It is five times more common in white men than in black men and is also more common in tall men.

It is one of the most treatable cancers - 97 per cent of patients survive for more than five years after diagnosis.

For more information visit www.orchid-cancer.org.uk

In it's statement the club added: 'Dylan's amazing resilience and positivity saw him through months of surgery and chemotherapy, while his outstanding talent saw him make his first-team début in a League Cup tie with Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground in September 2012.

'Away from the pitch, Dylan did a huge amount of work to raise awareness of male cancer, supporting the One for the Boys campaign at a number of high-profile events alongside the likes of Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, snooker star Jimmy White and fellow Australian Peter Andre.



'Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on the game and his larger than life character.



'He was a loving son, amazing brother and well-respected member of the West Ham squad. He will be hugely missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him.

'His passing will be marked by a minute's applause ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers' players will also wear black armbands in his memory.



'The thoughts of everyone associated with the club are with his parents Tracylee and Jim, brother Taylor, his family and friends at this sad time.



'The club request that their privacy is now respected and they are allowed to grieve their much loved son and brother in peace.'

Dylan's brother Taylor, a West Ham youth player, tweeted: 'R.I.P. Dylan my beloved brother you will be missed but never forgotten you was a massive inspiration to everyone.'

Testicular cancer is most common in men aged 15 to 44 and affects 2,000 each year in the UK.