Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is to have a liver transplant, the Spanish and European champions said on Thursday. The France international had surgery to remove a tumour from the organ early last year before making a triumphant return to lift the Champions League trophy at Wembley in May. “Over the coming weeks, the player (Abidal) will undergo a liver transplant,” Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com). “The transplant was an option already mentioned since the start of his treatment a year ago,” the statement added. The club did not say how long the 32-year-old would be out of action. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)