Former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis just weeks after signing for PSV Eindhoven, according to reports
Former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB), according to reports in the Netherlands.
Perez, 36, played 21 times for Arsenal between 2016 and 2018, and also played 19 games for West Ham United on loan in the 2018/19 season.
The Spanish striker joined PSV Eindhoven a month ago after terminating his contract at Deportivo La Coruna to join the Eredivisie giants. However, he is set to be sidelined for a long time with the illness.
According to Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf, Perez has contracted the illness, with PSV also announcing the striker’s health concern in a statement on their website, which reads: “One of the players of PSV 1 has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis. The player is doing well under the circumstances.
“Although the chance of further infection is small, the situation is being closely monitored according to the standard protocols of the GGD.
“The situation was reported to GGD Brabant-Zuidoost. The attending pulmonologist, the PSV medical staff and the GGD Brabant-Zuidoost immediately took all necessary measures.
“Among other things, a source and contact investigation was started and those involved were informed.
“Together with GGD Brabant-Zuidoost, the standard protocols will continue to be followed and implemented. For now, there are no indications that people in the vicinity of the infected player have been infected.”
The disease, which affects the lungs, has alarmingly been on the rise in the UK and Europe over the last couple of years. An active TB infection can be treated by antibiotics and the person must be isolated for three to four weeks.
Perez signed for Arsenal in a £17million deal in 2016 but failed to settle at the Emirates before he was loaned back to his hometown club Deportivo in August 2017.