Volendam Striker Ould-Chikh Undergoes Successful Surgery for Rare Back Tumor

Successful operation for Bilal Ould-Chikh. On his Instagram account, the 26-year-old player announced that he had been operated on for a benign tumor at the base of his back. This tumor had kept him away from the pitch for a few weeks. "After having a good season, I unfortunately could not finish it in good health. What started as back pain turned out, after examination, to be a rare and benign tumor at the base of my back. [...] In the meantime, I have undergone a successful operation and the tumor has been completely removed," he recounts. The Dutch-Moroccan striker will only be able to return to the pitch next season. In the meantime, he is focusing on his recovery.

Ould-Chikh scored two goals and provided seven assists this season. Since the match against AZ on March 17, a tumor in his back has kept him off the pitch.