Greg . 14 hours ago

Former Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu reveals injury hell as he eyes Udinese return

Gerard Deulofeu has stated his ambition to play for Udinese once again as he continues to rehab from a serious knee injury that has kept him off the pitch since 2023.

The Spaniard has been a free agent since mid-January after his contract with the Friuli club ended.

However, he still lives in the area and is training alongside the team on his road to recovery.

His importance is still felt around Udine.

Before the UEFA Super Cup, held in the city on Wednesday, he spoke at a conference showing off Udinese’s sustainability programmes - an initiative that has seen them place 2,400 solar panels thanks to a cooperation with club sponsor Bluenergy.

The former Barcelona, Everton and Watford winger suffered an ACL rupture against Napoli in 2023, made worse by an infection following surgery that set him back even further, leaving him even to consider retirement during the "torturous" period.

Now 31, he wants to repay the support of Udinese and return to the pitch wearing their colours of black and white.

Speaking at the conference, Deulofeu, who was flanked by technical director Gokhan Inler and former Udinese great Oliver Bierhoff, stated: “We can train every morning with Gokhan.

One of my strengths and one of my passions is training and dreaming of playing football.

Gokhan Inler, Gerard Deulofeu and Oliver Bierhoff at Udinese's sustainability conference in FriuliJosh Donaldson“It has been a really tough time.

It’s been two years, and, of course, I am getting better every day but it’s too slow.

The knee is going really slow but, I said I’m young, that’s why I am still battling.

 “But, if there is one day that I can recover, I am going to play for Udinese.

”Working with Udinese's young talentDespite terminating his contract in January, Udinese remains a big part of Deulofeu’s life.

Along with training with their technical director, he is passing on his knowledge to the squad’s younger stars.

“I am so lucky because the leadership are still behind me,” he explained.

“They are giving me this support so I am just giving my best to play again for Udinese because I am really close with the supporters, nearing the city.

I hope one day I will be there and scoring again.

”He added: “We (the team) are training together every morning.

I am giving confidence and advice to the young ones.

I am there to be a bit of an example because there is a lot of nationalities.

 “We are battling for this responsibility to be part of Udinese, more than 30 years in Serie, so we have to keep going to do our best to put the club where they have to be.

”A long injury lay-off like the one experienced by the forward can have a detrimental effect in every aspect of life, but Deulofeu credits his family with keeping his spirits up.

Deulofeu said: “After training, I am back home.

In that time period, I need my family, I need love, I need my passions, I need the nature of Udine.

“Living my life and you can see my kids growing.

I am happy here, but to complete this happiness will be playing again.

”