Defender Per Schuurs has revealed the worst period of his career and how it ruined his move to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.
In an emotional interview with De Telegraph, The 26-year-old describes a two-year battle with pain, uncertainty and mental collapse, and how he is now finally seeing his way back.
Crystal Palace and Tottenham efforts
Per Schuurs is currently a free agent after leaving Torino in February. That departure followed two years of injury. He previously spent 286 days out due to a cruciate ligament injury in October 2024 and is currently on 618 days out after knee surgery.
Before the latest problem, he was one of Serie A's most sought-after defenders. After impressing at Torino, he left a number of Premier League clubs giving him tough competition. This included Crystal Palace and Tottenham.
"I reached a five-year contract with Inter in the summer, but the club could not reach an agreement with Torino," he said.
"Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur also wanted to trade and pay more. They offered €35m, Inter offered 30m. While Torino demanded at least €40m. A standoff occurred. This also played a part in the background. I was sick of not making a transfer. In fact, still am,"
injury nightmare
Two months later, Per Schuurs suffered an injury that changed everything. The knee injury, despite injury, has created a medical mystery that has baffled experts across Europe.
"Everything seemed to be going well, but after a week I had a reaction on the outside of my knee," he said.
"I was dying of pain. Instead of four weeks, I walked on crutches for four months. That's when all the alarm bells rang. I saw the best orthopedic specialists in England, France, Italy and the Netherlands. But the reason for the complaints was not found."
This made the guard sad. Not only had he missed out on big steps forward at Crystal Palace and Tottenham, but his career was now on the decline.
He admitted, "I had fallen from the pinnacle of my career and the most beautiful phase of my personal life into the deepest abyss of which I did not even know."
"This manifested as crying and extreme anger. One evening, when I really couldn't take it anymore, I said to my girlfriend: Sleep well and I hope I don't wake up again. I never thought about ending my life."
focus on return
Now the defender is back on the road to recovery. He can see the light at the end of the tunnel and is hoping to create a redemption arc for the movies.
He concluded, "I would prefer to lie in bed with the curtains closed."
"I was amazed at the person I had become; I had not been the same for two years. I have been pain free for weeks now and am feeling better and better. I want to come back the most beautiful I have ever been.
"I'm concentrating on being in top shape until the end of June. Then I'll start looking for a club. When I think about it, I have tears in my eyes. On the other hand, it's painful that it's a dream."
