Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has expressed confidence that he will be back to peak fitness before the start of the new season as he looks to put an injury-ravaged campaign behind him at Panathinaikos, Footynaija.com reports.
The 31-year-old joined Greek Super League giants Panathinaikos on a permanent transfer from Scottish Premiership side Rangers last summer in a deal reportedly worth between €4.6 million and €5 million.
However, his first season in Greece proved to be a frustrating one as persistent injury problems limited the Nigerian international’s involvement to just five league appearances in which he scored two goals and provided one assist.
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Having endured the most difficult spell of his professional career, Dessers has now opened up on the physical and emotional challenges of his injury-hit debut season while making clear his determination to return stronger ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“It has been difficult, a season with many injuries. For the first time in my career, actually, so I had to get used to that,” he revealed, per BN DerStem.
“Especially because the club paid a nice transfer fee for me, I just want to give something back to them. For the fans too, of course. I received so much love from them and it feels difficult that you can’t give that back.
“I am working extremely hard to be in top shape this season. Giving it my all, scoring goals, winning matches, and lifting trophies.
“I expect to be in top shape by the start of the league in mid-August. Hopefully, I’ll get some minutes in the European qualifiers before that.”
Before making the switch to Greece, Dessers enjoyed two productive seasons at Rangers, establishing himself as one of the club’s key attacking figures. In 116 appearances, he scored 52 goals and helped the Gers lift the Scottish League Cup during his time at Ibrox.
Now fully focused on his recovery, Dessers will be eager to leave last season’s frustrations behind and rediscover the prolific goalscoring form that made him one of Europe’s most consistent strikers.
