Wolves retire No1 shirt in tribute to cancer-battling star Carl Ikeme as Premier League squad numbers are announced
Goalkeeper was forced to retire from football following his battle against leukaemia
WOLVES have retired their No1 shirt in tribute to cancer-battling legend Carl Ikeme.
The goalkeeper was forced to hang up his gloves after he was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July last year, aged 32.
The decision to retire the shirt was revealed when Wolves announced their squad numbers for the 2018/19 Premier League season.
Rui Patricio will wear No11, John Ruddy will be No21 and Will Norris is the club's No31.
Fans were overjoyed to see that the club had honoured the goalkeeper, with one stating: "Nice touch, retirement of no1 shirt for Kemes."
Another added: "Nice touch of respect to @Carl_Ikeme."
The 32-year-old made 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions, with over 200 of them for Wolves.
He played for Nigeria ten times and was named as their honorary 24th man for the World Cup following his illness.
Ikeme is not expected to return to the pitch, but the Super Eagles offered him a job in their technical crew.
His condition was spotted during a routine pre-season check-up at Wolves.
Ikeme has since confirmed that on his social media that he is now cancer-free after a number of treatments.
In June, he posted: "After a year of intense chemotherapy I would like to share that I am in complete REMISSION.
"I still have hurdles to be pass to be cured, but hopefully I can move on with some normality!"
