Former Arsenal star suffers from tuberculosis weeks after signing for PSV

De Telegraaf has reported that PSV's Lucas Perez is suffering from tuberculosis. The club had reported a case in their squad earlier on Monday afternoon and the newspaper has revealed that the affected player is the Spanish striker.

"One of the PSV players has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis. The player in question is doing well under the circumstances. Although the possibility of further infections is small, the situation is being closely monitored in accordance with standard GGD protocols," reads part of the letter from the institution, which did not reveal the identity of the player.

De Telegraaf then published a report that Lucas Perez was affected and ruled him out for the remainder of the season: "The person will have to be isolated for three to four weeks and undergo antibiotic treatment. This has a big impact on the player's condition. He will be out of action for a long time and it is very doubtful that he will be able to play again this season."

PSV have taken all necessary measures, starting with launching an investigation into the source of the case, as well as informing those involved. "At the moment, there are no indications that people have been infected in the vicinity of the infected player. The club is not entitled to be more specific about the entity of the member involved," the statement said.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that usually affects the lungs, and which can be spread through the air. "The risk of infection for the people around the patient is limited. In any case, there is no risk of infection in the open air," the GGD pulmonologist told PSV.

This Monday, 24 March, marks the world day against this infectious disease, which, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), kills one million people a year. Lucas Perez joined the Dutch club on 23 February after leaving Deportivo for personal reasons and had so far only played 24 minutes in 3 matches: 8‘ and 3’ against Go Ahead Eagles (Cup and League) and 13' against RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie.