Denmark international Mikkel Damsgaard is so happy to be back at Sampdoria after five months dealing with an aggressive form of arthritis. ‘I’ve been sick in the hospital.’
The 21-year-old has been out of action since early October 2021, officially due to a thigh problem.
However, he then had keyhole surgery on his right knee to clean up debris on November 4.
It did not resolve the issue, as his agent Jens Orgaard told Secolo XIX newspaper that it was “a very aggressive form of arthritis. There was no improvement, it felt like it was never going to heal, but thanks to the collaboration between Italian and Danish rheumatologists, a new therapy was designed and gave an excellent response.”
This week, Damsgaard returned to the training ground in Genoa and spoke to the official Sampdoria channel.
“It’s a very good feeling to be back here, I’m very happy to get to see the teammates again. The squad is different from when last I was here.
“I missed Italy and the good weather, so I’m very happy. I got a lot of support from my family, my teammates, it made me really happy and made me want to work harder, as they said they were waiting for me and can’t wait to see me again.
“It’s nice to be back. It’s difficult to explain, but I’ve been sick, in the hospital. It’s been tough, but I’ve gotten over it, I got the right medicine, I am working hard to play again, because I want to do what I love and that’s playing football.
“I’m very happy that now I feel good again. The club were very good to me, allowed me to go home so I could see my family and friends, because in hospital it’s nice to see your family. I’ve also been training very hard to come back here.”
In his absence, Sampdoria have been transformed, with coach Marco Giampaolo replacing Roberto D’Aversa, many new signings in January and even the club hierarchy changed with the exit of President Massimo Ferrero.
“A lot of things have changed since I left, so it’s been crazy to follow, but I feel like we’re playing very well, with more motivation, good football and we are going the right way.”