Rare brain condition forces ex-Arsenal star to terminate contract with Danish club

Kristoffer Olsson has been forced to terminate his contract with Danosh side Midtjylland. Photo/Imago

Rare brain condition forces ex-Arsenal star to terminate contract with Danish club

Joel Omotto 10:57 - 01.04.2025

The midfielder, who played for the Gunners early in his career, has been forced to end his spell with the Danish side due to a rare brain condition.

Former Arsenal midfielder Kristoffer Olsson has been forced to cut short his stint with Danish club Midtjylland after being diagnosed with a rare blood condition.

As per The Mirror, Olsson was rushed to hospital after collapsing at his home in February last year and doctors found he had blood clots on both sides of his brain due to a rare blood-vessel inflammation.

Olsson initially required a respirator to aid in his breathing and spent the last one year working through physical and mental challenges but he is now hoping to make a grand return to football at his boyhood club IFK Norrkoping.

That has necessitated the contract termination with Midtjylland as it will allow him to be closer to his family as he returns to sport.

"His comeback story is truly inspiring," Mitdjylland's vice-director of football Kristian Bach Bak told club media.

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"It’s not just about football – it's about human strength in the face of overwhelming adversity. Kristoffer has shown us all what true courage looks like. From day one, Kristoffer has been an outstanding player and an even greater person.

"Before his illness, he played a crucial role in our squad – with his vision, technical level, and ability to bring people together. He helped lift this club, and we've been incredibly proud to have him at FC Midtjylland."

The midfielder joined Arsenal's academy from Norrkoping as a highly-rated teenage prospect in 2011 and made one appearance for the first-team, coming off the bench to score in a penalty shootout as Arsene Wenger’s team beat West Brom in League Cup clash in 2013.

He spent time on loan at Midtjylland in 2014 before making the move permanent and he went on to play for AIK, Krasnodar and Anderlecht before returning to Midtjylland in 2022.

Olsson has made 47 appearances for Sweden and featured at the delayed Euro 2020.