Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri suffered “serious and
permanent brain damage” after collapsing in a
friendly match on Saturday.
The 20-year-old had “cardiac arrhythmias” – heart
rhythm problems – during the game against Werder
Bremen.
The club statement said the chances of recovery
from the damage is nil.
It added: “The diagnosis was made that a lot of [his]
brain is not functioning. All this probably occurred
due to a lack of oxygen supply.”
On Monday, the club had said tests showed his “heart
is functioning normally” and brain scans did not
detect “any anomalies” – but new tests revealed the
extent of the damage.
The Amsterdam-born player was flown by helicopter
to hospital in Austria – where the abandoned friendly
match was being played.
Ajax say he will soon be transferred to a hospital in
Amsterdam for further care.
Former Manchester United and Fulham goalkeeper
Edwin van der Sar, now CEO at Ajax, said: “This is the
worst possible message. It is terrible. We feel
enormously for his parents, siblings and other
relatives.
“The blow is also difficult for Ajax, though we knew
we had to consider this scenario.
They were uncertain
days, lots of people in different ways have
sympathised with his situation and is greatly
appreciated.
“Abdelhak is such a great talent, but unfortunately we
will never know how far his star would have reached
had this not happened. ”
Nouri played 15 league and cup games for Ajax in
2016-17, scoring one goal in a Dutch Cup tie.
