New Atletico Madrid signing suffers 'traumatic brain injury' after sickening clash

Atletico Madrid centre-back Robin Le Normand suffered a 'traumatic brain injury' in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.

The 27-year-old, who joined Atleti from Real Sociedad in the summer, clashed heads with Aurelien Tchouameni and immediately received treatment on the field.

There was real concern at the time for Le Normand, who was attended to by teammates and the club doctor, before he left the field looking groggy and a bit dazed.

He has been under observation ever since, undergoing a number of tests and examinations, and Atleti have confirmed that the Frenchman has suffered a brain injury that involves a build-up of blood between the skull and surface of the brain.

"Robin Le Normand suffered a severe blow to the head in the final minutes of the Madrid derby," a club statement confirmed. "He underwent a series of tests and was assessed by specialists who determined that he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with subdural haematoma.

"In the process of returning our player to competition, the guidelines set out in the protocol established for this type of trauma will be followed."

Le Normand has established himself as a key starter for Diego Simeone's Atleti, who remain unbeaten after eight La Liga games, but will now face an unspecified period on the sidelines while he recovers.

He was a key figure in Spain's successful Euro 2024 campaign, forming a strong partnership with Aymeric Laporte, and did enough to keep Atleti in the game on Sunday before Angel Correa's 95th minute equaliser denied Real Madrid all three points.

Atleti sit fourth in La Liga, five points off early pacesetters Barcelona, who suffered a surprise defeat at the weekend at the hands of Osasuna.

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