Johnny Koutroumbis: Motherwell defender reveals ‘humbling’ cancer journey

Just two days before his procedure, and no more than a fortnight after finding the lump, Koutroumbis was informed of the news that would change his life.

His devastated mother was in the room with him.

From that point on, he made sure he was the “strongest one” in his family.

“It was a bit of a blur at that stage because I just wanted to stay strong for my family,” the right-back says.

“As parents, brothers and sisters, you never want to hear one of your immediate family members has got cancer.

“I was probably the strongest one. Looking back years later, it was a daunting experience.”

After a successful recovery, Koutroumbis has played more than 150 games in professional football across spells with Newcastle United Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory and Motherwell.

He is now living his dream of playing in Europe, a dream that has been fuelled by the traumatic period he experienced seven years prior.

“I class myself as one of the lucky ones,” the defender says.

“I learnt a lot about myself and I learnt a lot about the people around me who love and support me.”