Former Sheffield Wednesday and Norway midfielder Petter Rudi has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).
Rudi, 52, made 76 Premier League appearances for Wednesday between 1997 and 2000 and earned 46 international caps. He currently works as a scout for Norwegian club Molde.
Sheffield Wednesday expressed their support on X, stating: 'Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday sends their love and support to our former player Petter Rudi and his family, following his ALS diagnosis.'
Molde’s chief executive, Vegard Storvik, said: 'I have had many nice conversations with Petter. It makes a strong impression to experience both his openness and the strength he shows in the face of something so serious.'
According to the MND Association, 5,000 adults are affected by MND in the UK at any one time, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 300. Other athletes diagnosed include rugby league legend Rob Burrow, who died in June 2024, and England rugby union World Cup winner Lewis Moody, who announced his diagnosis in October 2024.
