Johan Cruyff has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Cruyff discovered on Tuesday that he was suffering from the disease and will now undergo further tests to ascertain how much the condition has advanced. 

"He has been in hospital this week for tests and lung cancer has been confirmed," Carole Thate, a spokesperson for Cruyff, told the Associated Press.

Cruyff, 68, previously underwent heart surgery in 1991.

Cruyff was a key part of the Ajax side that won three straight European Cups between 1971-73, and also the Dutch national side which reached the World Cup final in 1974.