Injury nightmare forces ex Barca star to terminate contract

Former Barcelona star Gerard Deulofeu has announced the termination of contract with Udinese by mutual consent, but he assured ‘if I return to football, it will be with this jersey.’

The 30-year-old Spain international has struggled with a knee injury he first suffered in November 2022. He had surgery in January 2023 and despite repeatedly seeming to be on the right track, there were always setbacks.

Deulofeu’s last of 68 matches in the Udinese shirt was in January 2023 against Sampdoria and his contract was meant to run until June 2026.

However, today he released a video and joint statement with the club confirming they had terminated their contract by mutual consent during the recovery process.

Gerard Deulofeu of Udinese goes down injured (Photo by Gabriele Maricchiolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“I tore my anterior cruciate ligament two years ago against Napoli, but recovered and was able to play against Sampdoria despite the tear. The bad news arrived after that match, when I knew I’d need surgery,” said Deulofeu.

“After that operation, I got an infection in the cartilage. That is tough to get over, because the bones grind up against each other and it goes beyond a normal injury.

“I have been fighting for two years against something that goes beyond biology. I feel better now than I did a few months ago, but we’ll see what happens.

Gerard Deulofeu  (Photo by Gabriele Maricchiolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“I have always had an incredible rapport with Udinese and it means so much to me that they supported and waited for me. If I do return to football one day, it will be with this jersey, for all that the club and its fans did to support me.

“We have agreed to terminate the contract, but the relationship and support remain special.”

Deulofeu was a product of the Barcelona youth academy and went on to play for Everton, Sevilla, Milan, Watford and from 2020 he joined Udinese.