Feyenoord player Thomas Beelen is, as feared, seriously injured in the friendly match against KAA Gent. The 24-year-old defender will undergo surgery immediately on Saturday evening.
Feyenoord reports on its site that Beelen has sustained a “severe leg injury.” The Harderwijk native was transported to a hospital after the match with Gent. There, he will undergo surgery this Saturday evening.
Due to privacy regulations, Feyenoord is not making any announcements about the precise nature of Beelen’s injury. It is not yet known how long the former PEC Zwolle player will be out of action.
Beelen was heavily impacted in the exhibition game at Varkenoord after half an hour of play in a duel with KAA Gent attacker Hélio Varela. It was immediately apparent that it was a nasty injury. Teammates and members of the medical staff shielded Beelen with white sheets. He left the field on a stretcher.
“I couldn’t care less about the match,” said Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie after the 1-2 defeat at Feyenoord ONE. “Everyone’s thoughts are with Beelen. It goes without saying that it doesn’t look good.”