Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Petter Rudi has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), his current club Molde has announced. The 52-year-old, who made 89 appearances for the Owls between 1997 and 2000, scoring 10 goals, now works as a scout for the Norwegian side.
Molde released a statement on Monday expressing their deep sadness. "We at Molde Football Club are deeply affected by the fact that our former midfielder, both in Molde and for the Norwegian national team – and current scout at the club – Petter Rudi, is affected by the serious muscle disease ALS," the club said. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is the most common form of MND and currently has no cure.
Sheffield Wednesday also sent their support, writing: "Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday sends their love and support to our former player Petter Rudi and his family, following his ALS diagnosis."
Molde chief executive Vegard Storvik praised Rudi's openness and strength. "This is a very sad message that affects us deeply," he said. "Petter has worked at the club for many years. He is close to us in everyday life... 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."
Rudi, who earned 46 caps for Norway between 1995 and 2006, also played for Belgian clubs Gent, Lokeren and Beerschot, Austrian side Austria Wien, and his boyhood club Molde. He won the Norwegian Cup twice with Molde and the Austrian Bundesliga with Wien.
