Oleksandr Zinchenko injury rules him out for the rest of the season after a severe knee setback at Ajax. The former Arsenal defender, 29, suffered the injury just six minutes into his home debut against Fortuna Sittard.
Zinchenko joined Ajax earlier this month for £1.3 million, leaving Arsenal after three and a half years. The Ukrainian international had spent the first half of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest, where he made ten appearances.
After appearing as a late substitute in his debut against AZ Alkmaar, Zinchenko earned his first start against Sittard. However, less than three minutes into the match, he went down with a left knee injury and needed assistance to leave the pitch. Ajax confirmed that surgery is required.
In an official statement, Ajax said: “Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ruled out for an extended period. The defender suffered a knee injury last weekend in the early stages of the home match with Fortuna Sittard at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. 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.”
This injury also rules Zinchenko out of Ukraine’s World Cup play-off campaign next month. If Ukraine advances, he will likely miss the tournament, leaving the national team without one of its experienced defenders.
Ajax now faces the challenge of adapting its defense without their new signing, whose season ended almost immediately after his first home start. Football fans will be watching closely to see how the club manages his absence and whether recovery will allow him to return for the next season in full form.
