Jonas Gutierrez (L)
Jonas Gutierrez (L) Reuters

Newcastle United winger Jonas Gutierrez is currently being treated for testicular cancer, he has revealed.

"I detected a tumour in a testicle. When I confirmed the cancer, I went home crying," Gutierrez said, as quoted by the BBC.

"I came here and I assumed the costs despite having a contract with Newcastle. Money is not important. What is important is health. I had to start chemotherapy," he said.

The Argentinean defender is currently in his native undergoing chemotherapy following the surgery to remove his left testicle.

The Tyneside club released a statement revealing their knowledge of the player's illness but they refused to talk about it to respect the player's wish for privacy regarding the matter.

"The club has been aware of Jonas's condition for some time but has respected his wish for privacy as he undergoes treatment with his friends and family around him," a club statement read.

The 31-year-old defender, who has been a key player for the Magpies during his time at the club, thanked all his fans for the support and good wishes.

"Thanks for all the messages. Always looking forward," Gutierrez tweeted.

The former Mallorca player has revealed that it was after a collision with Arsenal's Bacary Sagna that he decided to get it checked and following the scan, he was made aware of the tumour in his testicle.

"I had a very hard collision with Sagna in the area of the pubic bone and the genitals," Gutierrez said, as quoted in the Daily Mail.

"From then I had a lot of pain that wouldn't go away. I spoke with the doctor straight after and he said: 'If it doesn't hurt then don't worry'.

"Then it was holiday time and I felt the pain more in the testicle. The season started and in September and October, I noticed that the testicle started to become inflamed. I felt a pain when I put my underpants on, it was uncomfortable," the Argentinean explained.

"I went back to the doctor and they told me to have an ultrasound scan and they detected a tumour and told me I needed an operation. I left the clinic crying and went home and told my dad who was there.

"I spoke to the club and said because of the delicate nature of the problem and because in Argentina, I was going to understand everything being told to me better, I wanted to be treated there," Gutierrez concluded.

Following the surgery and treatment, Gutierrez returned to Newcastle and in December, he was asked my manager Alan Pardew to find a new club, which saw the former Mallorca man join Norwich City on loan in January.

The Newcastle defender, who is on the final-year of his contract, is currently in Argentina and has one more session of chemotherapy, before he begins his recovery process.