After a year in coma, Ajax young player Abdelhak Nouri has woken and is again able to communicate with his realives, at least using gestures. It is a good sign for the 21-year-old - and for the whole football world which crossed fingers for the young Dutchman. 

It happened last July in a pre-season match between Ajax and Werder Bremen. Nouri, a promising Dutch midfielder with Moroccan ancestry, suddenly collapsed on the pitch. He was transported to the hospital by a helicopter, and as it turned out, the player had a heart attack due to cardiac arythmia.

It led to a permanent brain damage, and Nouri stayed in a coma. Doctors said he would never see, talk, move or recognise somebody again, but in December, while being in a coma, he smiled when a football was put in his hands, which was seen as a good sign. 

And now Abdelhak finally regained consciousness. Of course his condition is far from healthy, but there are some signs of progress. As his relatives say, Nouri recognises them and is able to communicate using some simple gestures. For example, he can respond to some commands such as to open his mouth or to raise his eyebrow.

The Dutchman still can not move his body, but with some assistance, he can be put into a wheelchair. Now Nouri is a nursing home, surrounded by his caring family, who do the best to help him.

Abdelhak was born in Amsterdam and graduated from the famous Ajax academy before making his debut for the first team in September 2016. In the 2016/17 season, the ex-midfielder of the Dutch U-19 team played 9 matches in the Eredivisie as well as 3 games in Europa League, and he was expected to play a bigger role in the following year.

Unfortunately, the tragedy led to a totally different scenario. Obviuosly Nouri will never play football again - but Ajax did not leave him in trouble, as the club still helps the player. Last season, Abdelhak was still officially listed as Ajax player, even if he was actually in coma.

If Nouri continues to get better, he will be allowed to return home after a while. The brain damage will hardly let him lead a normal life, but in his condition, every sign of progress should be welcomed.