Chemotherapy complete, Baumgartl returns to Union training

Two of the three Bundesliga players recently diagnosed with testicular cancer are now back on the pitch after Union Berlin’s Timo Baumgartl returned to training on Wednesday. 

Regarding the random recent spate of testicular cancer diagnoses among three top-tier German footballers, there is some good news to report. Union Berlin defender Timo Baumgartl returned to light training on Wednesday for the first time since his diagnosis forced in off the pitch in late April. Baumgartl, who like BVB striker Sebastien Haller had to undergo chemotherapy after his tumor was surgically removed, had to take a full break from football that lasted just under four months.

Hertha BSC attacker Marco Richter did not have to submit to chemotherapy and returned to individual training on Monday. In Richter’s case, an early diagnosis enabled surgeons at Berlin’s Charité Hospital to remove 100 percent of the cancerous cells during a July 12th operation. The 24-year-old confided to Andreas Niklaus of German footballing magazine Kicker on Monday that he felt good, but felt no need to rush his return.

Schön, Dich wieder in Fußballschuhen zu sehen, Timo 👍 pic.twitter.com/S9i4kaOXUm

— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) August 3, 2022

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