Few footballers embody resilience quite like David Brooks. The Bournemouth winger has overcome setbacks that would end most careers, yet he continues to prove himself at the highest level. Speaking to The Athletic , Brooks opened up about the gruelling journey from cancer diagnosis to once again starring in the Premier League. His words shed light not just on his battle, but also on the remarkable demands of elite football.
In October 2021, Brooks was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma. It was a discovery made by Wales ' medical staff after he experienced night sweats, weight loss and exhaustion. A biopsy confirmed the illness, leading to six months of chemotherapy.
Brooks reflected on the treatment with brutal honesty. "With the illness, especially chemotherapy, you are essentially being poisoned. That's what chemo is. It kills all cells in your body, the good and the bad. You are extremely deconditioned, compared to what you are used to as a footballer."
What followed was almost 600 days without a competitive start. During that time, he lost strength, fitness and rhythm, and the road back was compounded by injuries. A hamstring tear, shoulder dislocation and delayed pre-seasons added further hurdles. Yet, he refused to give up. "I just kept plugging away. I don't really give up, and I always hoped I could get back there, which I've managed to do," he told The Athletic.
Now 28, Brooks looks revitalised under Andoni Iraola 's high-intensity system. In Bournemouth's opening fixture at Anfield, he registered more sprints than any other Premier League player that weekend, creating Antoine Semenyo 's goal with a precise cross. His pressing and work rate unsettled Liverpool , even though the Cherries eventually lost 4-2.
Brooks explained what Iraola expects. "He wants high-intensity running and for his players to be just a nuisance all over the pitch. It is a little bit high-risk, high-reward, because when we do press and get it right, we win the ball back in very good areas and we can go and hurt opposition teams."
The winger admitted the style requires relentless running, but he sees the value. "Sometimes when you've got to grind and dig in to do the running, it's not exactly fun running around at high intensity for 90 minutes, but it only takes one chance to nick it and you're in, and you can score a goal that trumps the opponent's whole plan."
Brooks' determination has roots in his teenage years. Released by Manchester City at 17, he described being "devastated", before Sheffield United handed him a second chance. Loan spells at Halifax Town toughened him up, playing men's football on park pitches where, as he admitted, livelihoods were on the line.
That grounding helped him grow into one of Britain's most promising prospects, earning a move to Bournemouth in 2018. Despite injuries, relegation battles and illness, he has continued to battle back, both physically and mentally.
Beyond club football, Brooks has ambitions with Wales. He missed the 2022 World Cup through illness but has his sights firmly set on the 2026 edition in North America. "It would mean everything to me (to play at a World Cup). When you look back on your career, you want to play in the biggest games on the biggest stage."
Given what he has already endured, few would doubt his determination to make that dream a reality. For Bournemouth, his resurgence could be the difference between consolidation and progression under Iraola. For Wales, it could mean an inspirational return to the global stage.
