A muscle problem picked up at AFCON 2025 turned into surgery and a seven month absence, but the striker now has a clear pathway back to fitness.
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Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers is set to rejoin Panathinaikos for their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands, marking the next step in his recovery from an injury that has kept him out since the start of the year, according to a report from Soccernet.ng.
Dessers picked up the muscle injury while on international duty at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and struggled to shake it off after returning to his club for further assessment. What was initially expected to be a minor issue worsened over time, ultimately requiring surgery in April that ruled him out for the remainder of last season.
187 Days And Counting
According to data from Transfermarkt, the 31 year old has now spent 187 days in rehabilitation. Greek outlet Pao Pantou reports that he is set to link up with the Panathinaikos squad for their pre-season trip, which includes friendlies against Ajax, Grasshopper and SK Rapid, with a full return to competitive action anticipated in August.
A Difficult First Season In Athens
Dessers joined Panathinaikos from Rangers last summer in a €4.6 million move, brought in to lead the club’s attack and challenge domestic rivals Olympiacos and AEK Athens. His debut campaign, however, was largely defined by the injury rather than his performances on the pitch.
With his recovery now progressing and a return to full training on the horizon, there is renewed optimism in Athens that Dessers can deliver the consistent goalscoring threat the club needs, particularly with Panathinaikos facing a demanding season across the Greek Super League, the Greek Cup and the UEFA Conference League.
A strong start to the new campaign would also boost his prospects of forcing his way back into Super Eagles contention after an extended absence from the international scene.
📌 Did You Know?
- Dessers previously played for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie before his move to Scotland with Rangers.
- His €4.6 million move to Panathinaikos came in the summer of 2025.
- Panathinaikos will compete in the UEFA Conference League this season alongside their domestic commitments.
- Dessers has been a regular fixture in the Super Eagles attack in recent years prior to his injury layoff.
- A 187 day rehabilitation period places Dessers among the longer individual injury absences in recent Super Eagles history.
