Willem II’s Mickaël Tirpan has ended his career with immediate effect. The 31-year-old right-back has been struggling with health issues for some time, and after consulting with medical specialists, he has now been forced to decide to retire from football.
The Belgian was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, a rare immune system disease, a few months ago. This is a rare inflammatory condition causing granulomas (small, swollen tissue patches) to form in organs, most often the lungs and lymph nodes. They can also form on the skin, eyes, heart, and other parts of the body. Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, shortness of breath, a dry cough, skin rashes, and eye issues.
This sidelined him for a few weeks last season. He did make a brief comeback (one substitute appearance), but then had to withdraw for the final matches of the season. This season, he started the first three matches in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, but then unfortunately suffered another setback. After missing the last two matches, Tirpan has now made the decision: he will retire. “The 31-year-old defender must fully focus on his health,” Willem II stated.
“Everyone knows I’ve done everything I could to be able to compete at the highest level, despite my medical situation,” Tirpan said in a statement. “Through ups and downs, I’ve succeeded, thanks in part to the support of medical specialists. But my body tells me it’s time. In consultation with the doctors and the club, we’ve made this difficult but right decision.”
“I’m grateful to everyone at Willem II – staff, teammates, and supporters – for their support,” the Belgian continues. “Especially the medical specialists, both inside and outside the club. They’ve guided me fantastically, and I know they’ll continue to do so in the future. My wish was to finish my career here, and I still cherish that feeling.”
Technical director Freek Heerkens also commented on the club website: “We have enormous respect for the way Mika has handled his situation recently. His fighting spirit and professionalism have been an inspiration to everyone at the club. Ultimately, health always comes first. It’s a courageous decision, and we thank Mika for his commitment. The door is always open to him.”
