Aron Johannsson will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks after undergoing ankle surgery later this month, AZ Alkmaar announced. The injury will force him to miss the beginning of the Eredivisie season, although his anticipated date of return remains unclear because an exact operation date has not yet been announced.
Aron Johannsson to undergo ankle surgery, miss 6-8 weeks
The U.S. striker will miss the beginning of the Eredivisie season.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The United States forward played 67 minutes off of the bench in the Americans' first World Cup match, but did not make another appearance in Brazil. The club did not announce whether he suffered the injury at the World Cup or if it was a pre-existing issue.
Johannsson transferred to AZ in Jan. 2013 and while he played sparingly the remainder of the campaign, he took over as the club’s starting striker last season and was phenomenal. The 23-year-old was third in the league with 17 goals and led the team with 26 goals in all competitions.
AZ have a new manager this season in Marco van Basten, who figures to be a boon for Johannsson. The legendary striker should be able to help the American, but he also brings with him a new system, and now Johannsson won’t be around in the preseason and the beginning of the season to learn AZ’s new way forward under van Basten.
Johannsson figures to be in the United States’ plans for next summer’s Gold Cup and then all the way through the 2018 World Cup. He should be back to full fitness in time for the Americans’ October friendlies, but if not, certainly the November friendlies.
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