Oleksandr Zinchenko injury sidelines ex-Arsenal star for rest of season, requiring surgery and lengthy rehabilitation at Ajax
Ajax have confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss the remainder of the season following a severe knee injury sustained during his home debut.
The 29-year-old Ukraine international went down within three minutes of Ajax’s clash with Fortuna Sittard on Saturday at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Zinchenko, who joined Ajax earlier this month for £1.3million after a three-and-a-half-year spell with Arsenal, had made his debut as a substitute against AZ Alkmaar.
Saturday’s fixture marked his first start for the Dutch club, following a loan spell at Nottingham Forest where he made 10 appearances.
The club revealed that medical examinations confirmed surgery is required for Zinchenko’s left knee.
Ajax stated in a release on Monday: “Examination at the hospital has shown that surgery is required. This will take place in the near future. The 29-year-old Ukraine international will then face a lengthy rehabilitation period, which means he will not play again this season.”
The injury also rules Zinchenko out of Ukraine’s World Cup play-off campaign next month. Should Ukraine advance, he is likely to miss the tournament entirely, delivering a major blow to both club and country.
