Dutch club offer update on keeper after horror clash halted match

01 October 2023 , 15:24

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RKC Waalwijk goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen was knocked unconscious against Ajax (Image: Getty)

RKC Waalwijk have delivered a positive update on goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen after he was knocked unconscious in their Eredivisie match against Ajax on Saturday.

Vaessen collided with Ajax forward Brian Brobbey late in the game and lay motionless on the pitch as medics rushed on to treat him. Stewards held up screens around the 28-year-old as he was treated, with a number of RKC players in tears.

The game was ultimately abandoned after he regained consciousness and was stretchered off the field before being taken to hospital. In a fresh update, RKC say Vaessan "had a good night" in hospital as he begins his recovery.

"Following our update last night, we can report that our goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen had a good night and has continued his recovery," the club said in a statement. "For Etienne it is important for now to be able to recover in peace in the coming hours and days.

"We would therefore like to ask you to give him and his family the time and rest for this. On behalf of everyone within RKC Waalwijk, we wish Etienne, and all the people around him, a lot of strength. We hope to see him again at the club soon."

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RKC chief Frank van Mosselveld also told ESPN : "He was approachable, but he completely forgot what happened. But he responded again. I would like to pay a big compliment to the medical people.

"They immediately resuscitated him because he was not responding and was out. That is the medical protocol. Fortunately, as it looks now, it was nothing to do with the heart. It had to do with the blow he received on the side of the head. That caused him to pass out."

"We are thinking of you, Etienne... This is about more than football," Ajax wrote on social media. "Praying you're okay, Etienne."

The incident occurred when Brobbey was played through on goal, with the forward's heavy touch allowing Vaessen to come out and close him down. However, as both players attempted to get the ball, Brobbey's foot made contact with Vaessen's head.

Vaessen has spent his entire professional career at RKC, having made his debut for the club back in 2016. The 28-year-old has gone on to make a total of 186 appearances for RKC, helping them earn promotion to the Eredivisie back in 2019.

Matthew Cooper