Confirmed: Ngankam undergoes ACL/meniscus surgery
SpVgg Greuther Fürth confirmed the worst-case injury fears regarding recently acquired striker Jessic Ngankam on Thursday.
The 20-year-old German attacker suffered both an ACL and meniscus tear during a Saturday training session and has already undergone major surgery.
The 20-year-old German attacker suffered both an ACL and meniscus tear during a Saturday training session and has already undergone major surgery.
| Jessic Ngankam. | Photo: herthabsc/citypress |
The 20-year-old Hertha BSC Academy product was so highly valued by both his parent and loan club that both sides secured purchase and buyback options on a loan deal finalized just last Thursday. Instead of spending the next Bundesliga campaign competing for a spot in two top flight clubs, Ngankam will now find himself preoccupied with which club will run his rehab program.
Fürth managing director Rachid Azzouzi, speaking to Germany's Sport Bild, seemed to suggest this matter was still open, but the Berliner Kurier reports that Ngankam is already on his way back to the capital. Hertha BSC trainer Pal Dardai is also quoted in the Berlin newspaper's article as saying that his club "will fix him".
Fürth will almost certainly have to work to acquire at least one more additional attacker should they wish to supplement their survival prospects in their first season back in the top flight since 2012/13. The Fürth side of that year were widely regarded to be the weakest German top flight participant in modern history; at least until FC Schalke 04's 2020/21 season.