Chelsea icon, 57, is diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy after shedding five stone

Chelsea legend Dan Petrescu has been diagnosed with cancer aged 57 and is said to be in a ‘very serious’ condition. 

The Romanian, who played for the Blues between 1995 and 2000, is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Petrescu won five trophies with the west London side after signing from Sheffield Wednesday and was the first overseas played to amass 100 appearances for the club. 

He has since gone on to an eclectic career in management – taking on 19 different jobs – and resigned from his fourth stint at CFR Cluj in his homeland in August. 

In December, it was claimed that Petrescu had lost five stone but that he was recovering well after treatment with Chinese medicine.  

But Romania’s football league president Gino Iorgulescu has now said: ‘I don’t know what to say – it is a delicate situation. May God help Dan to get better, for there to be a cure.

‘I don’t know the exact diagnosis, but I understand that it is very serious.

‘He is undergoing chemotherapy. I don’t know what he is doing.

‘He played for me, and he also worked for me as a coach at FC National. I was also friends with him.

‘Such news makes me uncomfortable – it makes my skin crawl.

‘I had, and still have, a good relationship with him. Since I found out his situation was very serious, I haven’t spoken to him.’

More to follow.