Testicular tumour: Hertha Berlin's Boetius to undergo surgery

Hertha Berlin midfielder Jean-Paul Boetius has been diagnosed with a testicular tumour and requires surgery, the Bundesliga club said on Thursday.

Hertha said the diagnosis came during urological tests the previous day, and that the 28-year-old Dutchman would go under the knife on Friday.

"As tough as it is to hear at first, we are full of hope that Jean-Paul will be able to recover and return to us as soon as possible,'' sports director Fredi Bobic said.

"He will receive our full support until he returns. The Hertha family are by his side and wish him all the best.''

Hertha team-mate Marco Richter was treated for testicular cancer last season and had returned by now.

Timo Baumgartl from Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin was also back from the illness, and Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller was diagnosed with a testicular tumour as well two months ago.

Which turned out to be malignant as Haller underwent chemotherapy.