Jacob Dicko Eng will probably have to resign. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB
Of NTB | 05/09/2024 12:14:04
Sport: The Oslo club informs about the boring situation on its channels on Thursday.
In October last year, Eng suffered a serious knee injury against Fram Larvik in the 2nd division. The doctors advised that there was a 50 percent chance that he would return as a football player.
Despite the operation and persistent training, it became clear after examinations this week that Jacob still has a very long way to go. The chances of a comeback are small, reports Vålerenga.
Eng was diagnosed with torn cruciate ligaments and ligaments in his knee after the hit against Fram Larvik. In addition, a nerve on the outside of the knee was badly damaged. So far, he has not regained function in his ankle.
– Injuries are the flip side of the coin, and receiving such a discouraging message after a long and hard training period is naturally tough for a young boy. We as a club must ensure that Jacob receives the best possible follow-up in the future, he adds.
The 19-year-old has not completely given up on getting back on the football pitch.
– There are many who have received discouraging messages before me, but still managed the impossible. I will at least do what I can to be one of them, he adds.
At the same time, Eng has already hatched a plan B. He has applied for studies – including a bachelor’s in sport and society at Norway’s Sports Academy.
A bright spot in the darkness is that he and his partner will become parents at the beginning of September.
– This is primarily a brutal message for Jacob, and also very sad for us as a club. He is one of the greatest talents Vålerenga has had, and took the Eliteserien by storm in the autumn of 2022, says sports manager Joacim Jonsson.
– It was an incredibly tough message to receive, and I am of course very sorry. This is hard, but I can’t give up. I have to hold on to hope. When you play football, you know that things can go your way despite bad odds, says Eng.
(© NTB)