Statement from the wife of late footballer Tolga Kalender

Following the passing of 25-year-old Bandırmaspor footballer Tolga Kalender, his wife, Çiğdem Kalender, has released a statement regarding his illness.

Çiğdem Kalender stated that her husband was diagnosed with cancer about nine months ago and had been undergoing treatment during this period. Explaining that the disease first began in his eye, Kalender noted that the cancer eventually spread to other organs.

Stating that Tolga Kalender lost his months-long battle for life on the night of September 22, Çiğdem Kalender announced his passing under the heading "Our painful loss."

In her statement, Kalender emphasized that Tolga Kalender left a positive mark on the lives of those he touched, saying, "We will always remember my dear husband Tolga with love and longing. We will strive to keep his memory alive forever."

Thanking those who supported them from the beginning of the illness, Çiğdem Kalender concluded her statement with the words, "May his soul rest in peace and his memory be honored."