Ferdi Kadıoğlu explained for the first time: 'It was very frustrating!'

Ferdi Kadıoğlu, who moved to Brighton from Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2024, has struggled to find his rhythm in the English Premier League due to injuries. Returning on September 13th against Bournemouth, the national player spoke to The Athletic's Brighton correspondent Any Naylor.

'I was in a lot of pain for a long time after the operation, I was injured when I scored against Liverpool'

Explaining the injury process, Ferdi said, "I had an injury, a (ligament) tear in my big toe. At first we waited for it to heal without surgery, but it didn't heal properly. Then I had to have surgery, which took some time. I struggled a lot to come back after the surgery. I was in a lot of pain for a long time, so it took a little longer than expected. It happened in the match before I scored. I played another game with painkillers, so the Liverpool game was after the injury. I scored a goal when I was injured."

'I have to come back stronger and show myself'

"It was very frustrating. You are really happy to come to the club and show yourself. Then you have a big injury. You can't show yourself. I had a great European Championship, so you want to keep my rhythm to show that. First of all you also need time to get used to it. I was getting better and better and then, boom! I had a setback. It was not easy at all. Now I have to come back stronger and show myself again."

What did Hürzeler say about Ferdi Kadıoğlu?

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Tottenham draw, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler said of Ferdi's return: "I think it's a big boost to have him back. He played really well when he came on against Bournemouth. He had some really good actions. He was very strong defensively in one-on-one battles. He trains very well. He can cover a lot of physical distances in terms of high speed and total distance. That's why I think he is close to 100 percent."