Ajax have confirmed that Abdelhak Nouri has suffered permanent brain damage after collapsing on the pitch during the Dutch giants pre-season friendly match against Werder Bremen.
The 20-year-old midfielder fell to the ground in the 73rd minute of the game and was promptly attended to by medical staff, who are reported to have performed CPR on the scene.
On Monday the club announced Nouri’s heart was functioning normally and appeared to be undamaged.
However, further tests on him have revealed permanent damager. Ajax annouced the news in a statement on their Twitter page.
https://twitter.com/AFCAjax_EN/status/885454298318065664
https://twitter.com/AFCAjax_EN/status/885454524495867904
“This the worst possible message. It’s terrible. We feel enormously for his parents, siblings and other relatives. Their suffering is impossible to describe,” said Ajax director and former Man Utd goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar.
“The blow is also being felt at Ajax, though we knew we had to consider this scenario. They were uncertain days, lots of people in different ways have sympathized with his situation. It is greatly appreciated.
“Abdelhak is such a great talent, but unfortunately we will never know how far his star would have reached out would not have happened like this.”
Former Netherlands striker Robin van Persie tweeted his support for Nouri and his family.
Devastating news about Abdelhak Nouri. I wish him and his family all the strength in the world #StayStrongAppie ??❤️? pic.twitter.com/0cSRFtEyzJ
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) July 13, 2017
The 20-year-old is expected to travel back to Amsterdam for further treatment.
Nouri played 15 league and cup games for Ajax in 2016-17, scoring one goal in a Dutch Cup tie.