Bayer Leverkusen must forgo their 17-year-old new signing Kennet Eichhorn. In a medical examination, a treatable metabolic disorder was diagnosed in the midfielder, the Leverkuseners announced. The metabolic disorder was apparently a high burden and excessive weight loss after a gastrointestinal disease.
"Kennet is facing a hopefully very long career at the highest level. We will support him on this way as best possible", said Leverkusen's sports executive Simon Rolfes. "What is important at the moment is that we have initiated the right measures for his recovery and Kennet can receive the necessary time and rest for his treatment without pressure."
What happened?
The treatment of the metabolic disorder will apparently begin in a specialized facility. No information was given on the duration of the absence. Already in the days before the training camp of Bayer Leverkusen, speculation had been made about a persistent infection in the 17-year-old.
Why is this important for Bayer Leverkusen?
The European football elite had courted Eichhorn in the summer for reportedly nine million euros from Berlin to Leverkusen. At the age of 16, Eichhorn had played 19 games for the professional team of second-division Hertha BSC in the previous season.
What comes next?
Bayer Leverkusen currently occupies sixth place in the Bundesliga table. The team has scored 68 goals and conceded 47 in the current season. The title win is 30 points behind the leaders Bayern München. The next match will take place on August 29 against SV Elversberg.
