Ajax's Abdelhak Nouri Suffers Permanent Brain Damage After Collapsing on Pitch

Ajax have announced that Abdelhak Nouri has severe and permanent brain damage following his collapse on the pitch while playing against Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Ajax made the statement on their official English Twitter feed:

Per BBC Sport, he was put in a medically induced coma after his collapse as a result of cardiac arrhythmia, but tests earlier in the week suggested he suffered "no heart or brain damage," with more thorough testing due to take place when he was conscious. 

Per ITV.com, Nouri is due to travel to Amsterdam for treatment, "the chances of recovery are low."

It is thought the damage stemmed from a lack of oxygen supply to the brain following Nouri's collapse.

Former Ajax star Edwin van der Sar, now CEO of the club, said: 

"This the worst possible message. It's terrible. We feel enormously for his parents, siblings and other relatives. Their suffering is impossible to describe. 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 sympathised 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."

Football writers and journalists reacted to the news on Twitter:

"

From just two months ago, fans chanting Nouri's name after Ajax 4-1 Lyon.. (h/t @JeanPaulRison) pic.twitter.com/JXERe79unD

— Priya Ramesh (@Priya8Ramesh) July 13, 2017"

"

I first caught Abdelhak Nouri at the 2014 U17 European Championships. He was influential as the Dutch got to the final. Sad to see this.

— Frankie Taylor (@fptaylormedia) July 13, 2017"

The 20-year-old made 15 appearances for Ajax's senior side last year, while his efforts for their Under-21s in the Dutch second tier earned him the Jupiler League's Player of the Season award.