The 17-year-old Shamrock Rovers star was forced off during Monday night’s League of Ireland win over Dublin rivals Bohemians.
13:10, 29 May 2026Updated 13:10, 29 May 2026
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Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley with Victor Ozhianvuna(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Stephen Bradley has given an update on the condition of midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna, who was forced off during the second half of last Monday’s 2-1 win over Bohemians.
The Shamrock Rovers youngster aggravated a back injury during the game and looked to be in considerable pain as he left the pitch.
Ozhianvuna will miss Friday night’s game against St Patrick’s Athletic and will likely miss at least one game after the mid-season break.
He will also be observed by Arsenal medics as he recovers from the injury.
The teenager will complete a €2million move to the Gunners next January, once he turns 18, and the Premier League champions are in regular contact with the Hoops regarding his progress.
Bradley said: “Victor will be out. His back was at him in the last few weeks. He got a knock on it a few weeks back, I can't think who (against), and he landed awkwardly on it on Monday.
“Victor, I would say three weeks maybe. He's in this morning with the specialist. We got to scan. And Arsenal will have to have a look at it as well. It's not serious.
“It's just with him growing so much and then getting a bang in that area, it just hasn't helped. And then a half time he seized up and he just couldn't get going.”
Bradley praised the relationship between Rovers and Arsenal, the club he joined as a teenager, saying: “They were on straight away and we were in constant communication in terms of our medical team and theirs.
“They've been very good in that regard. They will obviously want to know and see all of the scans and hear what the specialist has to say.
“But no, they very much will allow us to lead that.”
Asked if it was a difficult dynamic between the buying and selling clubs, he replied: “It can be and it could be. But we've got a really good relationship with them. We have done for some time.
“I think they told us they've been over recently to watch training. They've been in and around everything and we've been over there quite a bit as well.
“It's a really good dialogue between both.”
The injury also means he won’t link up with the Ireland Under-21 squad for their upcoming games in Croatia.
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