First images of Rigobert Song emerge as ex-footballer continues recovery from stroke

Former Liverpool and West Ham United defender Rigobert Song has been pictured for the first time since suffering a stroke earlier this year.

The 40-year-old, who had been coaching in his native Cameroon, was hospitalised after falling ill at his home in October this year. However, after treatment in Cameroon and France, he appears to be on the road to recovery in France. And the Cameroonian media have shared the first image of the former international captain, who also played in France, Italy, Germany and Turkey during a 16-year professional career. https://twitter.com/Turkish_Futbol1/status/805905172941697025 https://twitter.com/King_Fut/status/806182899229802496 According to Gary Al-Smith, a journalist specialising in African sport, Song is said to be recovering "steadily" after suffering a cerebral aneurysm just nine weeks ago. And the football world has come together to wish Song well, just as they did when news of his ill-health first broke. https://twitter.com/empireofthekop/status/805837930346479616 https://twitter.com/ajansspor/status/806263083211653120 https://twitter.com/ColinUdoh/status/805752193483677696 Song spent just under two years with Liverpool after joining in 1999, playing 35 times for the club and a further 28 for West Ham after joining the London club as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand. He is perhaps best known for his four-year spell with Galatasaray, for whom he played more than 100 league games, as well as his 137 international caps - including appearances at four World Cups. Catch up with this week's episode of Football Friday Live