Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri suffers severe brain damage

The 20-year-old was taken to hospital by helicopter after collapsing during the pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen in Austria. The match was abandoned.

"The chances of recovery of these crucial brain functions is nil," the club said in a statement on its official website. "This was probably due to a lack of oxygen supply to his brain."

Nouri - known as 'Appie' - made 15 appearances for Ajax's first team last season, including three in the Europa League, and scored on his senior debut in a 5-0 win over Willem II in the KNVB-Beker.

"This the worst possible news. It's terrible. We feel enormously for his parents, siblings and other relatives,” Ajax director Edwin van der Sar said.

"Their suffering is impossible to describe. The blow is also being felt at Ajax, though we knew we had to consider this scenario. There were uncertain days, lots of people in different ways have sympathised with his situation. It is greatly appreciated.

"Abdelhak is such a great talent, but unfortunately we will never know how far his star would have reached had things not have happened like this."

On Monday, Ajax revealed Nouri's heart was functioning normally and appeared to be undamaged, adding that it was "too soon to say anything about his recovery, as his brain function cannot be tested properly as long as he is kept asleep."

It was then confirmed that he would be released from an artificial coma.