COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - JUNE 21: Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark celebrates following their side's victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match between Russia and Denmark at Parken Stadium on June 21, 2021 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Video Ad Feedback

Kasper Schmeichel on Christian Eriksen and Denmark's Euro run


03:57

– Source:
CNN

International football news
16 videos

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - JUNE 21: Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark celebrates following their side's victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match between Russia and Denmark at Parken Stadium on June 21, 2021 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Video Ad Feedback

Kasper Schmeichel on Christian Eriksen and Denmark's Euro run

03:57

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

andres cantor reaction argentina vpx

Video Ad Feedback

World Cup commentator breaks down in tears over Argentina victory

01:36

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

stefano pozzebon argentina world cup

Video Ad Feedback

Fans in Argentina douse reporter while celebrating World Cup win

02:05

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

screengrab messi and teammates on bus

Video Ad Feedback

See Messi and teammates' bus cruise through jubilant Buenos Aires

01:22

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

screengrab messi return home

Video Ad Feedback

See Messi and triumphant teammates arrive in Argentina

02:55

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

soccer goat

Video Ad Feedback

Watch: Expert answers who the GOAT of soccer is

02:47

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

dubai world cup fever

Video Ad Feedback

Dubai is at fever pitch for the World Cup

02:26

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

Nasser Al Khater

Video Ad Feedback

'Death is a natural part of life': Qatari official brushes off worker death at World Cup

01:14

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

grant wahl lebron james split

Video Ad Feedback

Hear LeBron James react to death of sports writer Grant Wahl

02:58

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

video thumbnail guillam balague grant whal housemate

Video Ad Feedback

Grant Wahl's housemate Guillem Balagué pays tribute to US journalist

05:58

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

Paris to Doha thumb

Video Ad Feedback

They cycled more than 4000 miles by bike to see the World Cup

01:58

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

French L1 football club Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) President Nasser Al-Khelaifi attends a press conference after the club appointed his new coach at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on July 5, 2022. - French coach Christophe Galtier quit as coach of Nice in June and replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who was released from his duties earlier today. Galtier, who guided Lille to the Ligue 1 title in 2021, is PSG's seventh coach since the Qataris bought the club 11 years ago and will be expected to finally lift the Champions League trophy. (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP) (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)

Video Ad Feedback

PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi: Qatar 2022 is the best football event of my life

04:56

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

Portugal's defender Ruben Dias gives a press conference at the Al Shahaniya SC training site in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha, on November 22, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Video Ad Feedback

Ruben Dias: A day in the life of the Portugal and Manchester City star

06:28

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

How to say Qatar DV 1

Video Ad Feedback

Here's how to actually pronounce 'Qatar'

01:28

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 15: DaMarcus Beasley is honored in a pre-game ceremony prior to the CONCACAF Nations League match between the United States and Canada at Exploria Stadium on November 15, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Video Ad Feedback

Former USMNT star DaMarcus Beasley previews England vs USA

05:02

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 17: Ruben Dias of Portugal in action during the friendly match between Portugal and Nigeria at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 17, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Video Ad Feedback

Ruben Dias: My World Cup memory

00:47

Now playing

– Source:
CNN

See More Videos



CNN
 — 

Christian Eriksen has signed a three-year deal with Manchester United, just over 12 months after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

The midfielder received lifesaving treatment on the pitch after collapsing during Denmark’s game against Finland in Copenhagen in June 2021.

But those harrowing images of his teammates forming a human shield around him as he was treated on the pitch, and of his partner running onto the pitch in tears, are in stark contrast with where Eriksen is today. It has been a remarkable recovery.

Christian Eriksen looks on during the match between Netherlands and Denmark.

Christian Eriksen looks on during the match between Netherlands and Denmark.

Michael Bulder/NESImages/DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Christian Eriksen scores with first touch for Denmark upon return to international football after cardiac arrest

The playmaker was later fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device, a type of pacemaker intended to prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore regular heart rhythm.

Former club Inter Milan terminated his contract – Serie A rules do not permit footballers to play in Italy’s top division with an ICD fitted – but he refused to give up on his ambitions of a return to the beautiful game.

The 30-year-old declared in January that his heart was “not an obstacle” and he signed for English Premier League club Brentford later that month.

He made his debut for the West London side at the end of February – 259 days after he collapsed – receiving rapturous applause as he came off the substitutes’ bench in a home defeat to Newcastle, before starting in back-to-back victories.

At his best, Eriksen is one of the most creative and effective midfielders in the game.

United manager Erik Ten-Hag is leading a total overhaul at Old Trafford and fans will hope that characters like Eriksen will overturn years of underperformance.

Eriksen lines up before a Denmark match.

Eriksen lines up before a Denmark match.

Christian Hartmann/Reuters

During his seven years at Tottenham, and his brief spell at Brentford, Eriksen made 237 Premier League appearances – scoring 52 goals and making 71 assists.

The midfielder has been capped 115 times for Denmark, scoring 38 goals for his country.

“Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started,” Eriksen said in a statement released Friday. “I have had the privilege of playing at Old Trafford many times but to do it in the red shirt of United will be an amazing feeling.”

“I have seen Erik’s work at Ajax and know the level of detail and preparation that he and his staff put into every day. It is clear that he is a fantastic coach,” he added.

“Having spoken with him and learned more about his vision and the way he wants the team to play, I am even more excited for the future. I still have major ambitions in the game, there is a huge amount that I know I can achieve, and this is the perfect place to continue my journey.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *