Peterborough defender Andy Legg has been forced to retire after a tumour on his neck was found to be cancerous.
A recent operation to remove the growth confirmed the 38-year-old former Wales international's worst fears.
"Andy has been told there's a good chance the cancer may have spread, so he has been advised to give up playing. "It's a terrible end to a glorious career, and he has the sympathy of everyone at the club," Posh boss Barry Fry told the Evening Telegraph.
Legg's 17-year professional career saw him make 576 league appearances for seven different clubs, scoring 61 goals in that time.
Born in Neath, he joined Swansea from Briton Ferry Athletic in 1988, and went on to serve Notts County, Birmingham, Ipswich, Reading, Cardiff and Peterborough.
Once renowned as possessing the longest throw-in in British football, he also won six full caps for Wales.
