Odin Thiago Holm has opened up on the latest setback in his injury-plagued career, revealing he has undergone surgery in a bid to finally overcome the long-standing issue that has restricted his progress…
The Norwegian midfielder, currently on loan at Vålerenga, remains under contract at Celtic for another two seasons but has endured a frustrating spell due to chronic compartment syndrome, a condition that causes pressure to build inside muscle compartments and can severely affect circulation and mobility.
Holm has featured for just 536 minutes since June 2023 and previously admitted the problem left him feeling “half paralysed”.
The 23-year-old has now confirmed he opted for an operation after previous attempts to manage the issue without surgery proved unsuccessful.
Speaking about his recovery, Holm said via TCW: “I finally got it operated on and it feels really good. I’m a little more optimistic after talking to some people who have been through the same thing and got better. So I’ll just keep my fingers crossed.
“An operation was talked about for a long time, but Celtic wanted to go in a more conservative direction without it having any effect, so it ended up with surgery.
“It’s good to come to a place where they have understanding and knowledge of the damage, so we can get it sorted out. I haven’t played that much football, so I’ve learned how to get through tough times. That’s an extra part of my experience too.
“I think I have a future playing football. As long as my legs are okay now, there’s nothing holding me back.”
Holm is hopeful the procedure will allow him to rediscover his best form during the remainder of his loan spell in Norway and insists the domestic game there has closed the gap on some of Europe’s bigger leagues.
He added: “It’s not like a player from here couldn’t have gone straight into the Celtic team and done well.
“The difference in quality isn’t that big. Valerenga and the Norwegian League as a whole are in a good place and the league has made big strides in recent years in terms of intensity, among other things.”
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1 Comment
It’s a shame for Holm to have his career so impacted by such an injury.
Even so, I still hope that he can make a full recovery all the same?
It might remain doubtful that he could reignite his career, with ourselves, but maybe not totally out of the equation just yet either?
One thing we already know about MoN, is how highly he looks for players with that winning mentality? And looking to add that quality factor also?
So for Holm, he certainly would have a very strong mentality, if he can restore getting back playing regularly again?
Whether that quality factor, that was meant to be promising, when we first signed him?
Is a totally different matter as if it will reach its potential?
Still say that we will be keeping a close eye upon the situation, all the same?
Might still return in January, and could see what happens from there?
At best, he might be a player with next season in mind, and having a full pre season?
But a lot can happen within the footballing world in a short space of time, and very quickly also?
As Holm has already found out so far within his career?