Former Liverpool and West Ham United defender Rigobert Song has been pictured for the first time since suffering a stroke earlier this year.
The 40-year-old, who had been coaching in his native Cameroon, was hospitalised after falling ill at his home in October this year.
However, after treatment in Cameroon and France, he appears to be on the road to recovery in France.
And the Cameroonian media have shared the first image of the former international captain, who also played in France, Italy, Germany and Turkey during a 16-year professional career.
Great to see Rigobert Song making a speedy recovery after his stroke 🦁 pic.twitter.com/iyLQXriHux
— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) December 5, 2016
Cameroon legend Rigobert Song looks much better now. Wonderful smile🙏 pic.twitter.com/rDmTYodVwi
— KingFut.com (@King_Fut) December 6, 2016
According to Gary Al-Smith, a journalist specialising in African sport, Song is said to be recovering “steadily” after suffering a cerebral aneurysm just nine weeks ago.
And the football world has come together to wish Song well, just as they did when news of his ill-health first broke.
Rigobert Song is recovering well in hospital after suffering a stroke.
Fantastic news ❤️
YNWA pic.twitter.com/cGafczci7q
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) December 5, 2016
Rigobert Song her geçen gün daha iyiye gidiyor. pic.twitter.com/xNuEldUHpn
— Ajansspor (@ajansspor) December 6, 2016
Rigobert Song, getting better. Stay strong, stay Indomitable, African Lion! #FAA https://t.co/tW9PVbsDiD pic.twitter.com/fKjvYRrGRX
— Colin NOT Collins 🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@ColinUdoh) December 5, 2016
Song spent just under two years with Liverpool after joining in 1999, playing 35 times for the club and a further 28 for West Ham after joining the London club as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand.
He is perhaps best known for his four-year spell with Galatasaray, for whom he played more than 100 league games, as well as his 137 international caps – including appearances at four World Cups.
