Football stars support Saints academy player through leukaemia

Rownhams based, Keanu Black was 12-years-old when he was taken into hospital.

The Southampton FC goalkeeper was two days from signing a new contract with the club he supports, but had to stop playing as he began his treatment.

His father, James Black, described the diagnosis as a "huge shock" with Keanu needing to have four bouts of chemotherapy, 60 blood transfusions and over 100 injections on his road to recovery.

But now, having recovered from the illness and back playing football, thanks have been given to some of the biggest names in the sport who supported him during the difficult time.

Southampton vs Man City game last season with get well message for Keanu Black.

During his treatment, shirts were sent from several footballers in order to lift Keanu's spirits including from Chelsea's Mason Mount, Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, and Man City's Raheem Sterling.

During Southampton's home match against Manchester City, a message reading "Get well soon" was shown on the screen at St Mary's, James-Ward Prowse and Danny Ings visited the house and manager Ralf Hassenhuttl also signed a warm up shirt for him.

Messages were sent from teammates of Keanu with Dutch footballing legend, Marco Van Basten even sending a photo of him holding a "Stay Strong" message.

Now father, James has said the support "means a lot" adding "It does go a long way when the footballers that he aspires too are making contact which is lovely.

"I don't think you really appreciate any of the messages until later on because you're so numb from the original diagnosis, the messages are probably not as appreciated as if you had sane thinking at the time.

"He was very ill and it probably wasn't until he got through a couple of months of the treatment and was able to start feeling a bit better until then you really appreciate the messages that do come through."

Keanu Black holding a shirt donated by Everton keeper, Jordan Pickford.

Now Eastleigh FC is said to be planning a Children's Charity match next June against ex Saints players for Keanu who is now 12 months free of Leukaemia.

James added: "It's fantastic, it's something I wasn't sure was going to happen so to see him kick a ball in training and in matches.

"It just opens your eyes up to how lucky you are. As a parent you get way too focussed on the child and where he's going to end up when actually you probably need to enjoy the here and now a bit more."