Kirian Rodriguez gets green light to return to play after cancer battle

UD Las Palmas midfielder Kirian Rodríguez announced on Thursday that he received medical clearance yesterday and can return to group training and compete professionally in LaLiga Hypermotion, having overcome Hodgkin's lymphoma for the second time.

"I wanted to inform you that I have been given the medical all-clear. I'm not cured, because an oncology patient needs five years for a full recovery, hence the relapse I had, but I have the competitive clearance that allows me to return to my day-to-day life, to normality," the Tenerife-born player stated in a press conference.

"Perhaps you don't know this, but at the end of May, I spent 25 days in hospital for an autotransplant. I was advised to rest, 100 days of caution. I was training in Barranco Seco, but cautiously. I have to thank the coaching staff and everyone. In some exercises, I started as a utility player. Each time, my body responded better. The medical all-clear allows me to return to the group dynamic. Now I'm clean. From there, it will depend on the coaching staff. I ask you for patience with the questions," he continued.

Regarding his potential involvement in Friday's match against Real Sociedad: "Footballers tend to be selfish. As happened before, if I play tomorrow, I might be 100% or I might look like a cockroach. I need weeks, training sessions, which will gradually help me regain my rhythm. In pre-season, you have matches where you can compete and see how the player fares against others."

Finally, Kirian explained his feelings upon wearing the shirt again: "They gave me the all-clear, but I didn't have the desire to play again. I told my girlfriend I had to find something that motivates me. When I got the message from the haematologist... I came to training today and thought: maybe I do want to. It excites me. I didn't have that before. I felt it today. I'd love to wear the Las Palmas shirt again."