Former Premier League goalkeeper Russell Hoult in palliative care after dual terminal diagnoses

Former Premier League goalkeeper Russell Hoult, 52, is receiving palliative care after being diagnosed with two terminal illnesses, his family said.

Hoult's daughter, Kayleigh, 24, said the family had been told both his primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and stage four bile duct cancer are terminal. "Dad is now receiving palliative care — something that's incredibly hard for us as a family to come to terms with," she wrote on a JustGiving page set up to raise money for AMMF - The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity.

Hoult was diagnosed with PSC in September 2023. In August 2024 the family learned he had been diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, which medical assessments described as terminal. The family said Hoult's children — Kayleigh and her twin brother, Carter — set up the fundraising page to support AMMF, the U.K.'s only charity dedicated to raising awareness and funding research into bile duct cancer.

The fundraising effort had surpassed £7,100 from 328 donations by mid-September, with an initial target of £8,000. Kayleigh and Carter plan to run the Leicester Half Marathon on Oct. 26 as part of the campaign to raise funds for the charity and to "help others facing the same disease," she wrote.

Hoult enjoyed a 20-year professional career in English football, becoming a cult figure at Derby County and West Bromwich Albion. He began his career at Leicester City and appeared for clubs including Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City. He made 138 appearances for Derby County and played an integral role in the club's promotion to the top flight in 1996, remaining the Rams' first-choice goalkeeper as they competed in the Premier League. He made 67 Premier League appearances for Derby and later featured more than 70 times in the top flight across three seasons with West Bromwich Albion.

News of Hoult's condition has been widely shared within the football community and among supporters who remember his performances across the top four tiers of English football. The family's public statement has focused on supporting research and other patients affected by cholangiocarcinoma while seeking to make a positive impact during a difficult period.

Medical specialists describe PSC as a long-term disease that affects the liver and bile ducts and can increase the risk of developing bile duct cancer. Treatment options for advanced cholangiocarcinoma are limited, and palliative care focuses on managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life.

The JustGiving page includes updates from the family and details of the fundraising target. The family has asked those wishing to support Hoult and the charity to consider donating and to follow the planned fundraising events.

Hoult's children and former teammates did not provide additional public comment beyond the fundraising appeal and the information shared about his health. The family requested privacy as they manage his care and the associated medical decisions.