Perr Schuurs expects to finally make his return for Torino at the start of next season. The 25-year-old defender has been sidelined for over a year and a half due to a serious cruciate ligament injury.
For Perr Schuurs, the past year and a half has been a grueling test of patience, mental strength, and resilience.
The Dutch central defender, who had been in the form of his life during his second season with Torino, saw all of that come to an abrupt halt in October 2023 during a fateful league clash against Inter Milan. In what should have been another routine fixture, the 25-year-old collapsed clutching his knee the pain immediately apparent, as were the tears that followed. The diagnosis was crushing: a torn cruciate ligament, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign and shattering hopes of a big-money transfer to one of Italy’s elite clubs.
At the time, Schuurs was on the radar of several Serie A giants and had also been linked with clubs outside Italy. His commanding presence, ability to read the game, and comfort in possession had made him a standout performer for Torino a team that had been punching above its weight, thanks in no small part to the former Ajax man's consistency at the back. But football can be cruel. Instead of a breakout year leading to a move up the footballing ladder, Schuurs found himself facing a lonely and uncertain road to recovery.
Initially, the plan was a standard rehabilitation process expected to last around nine months. But as the months passed, it became evident that progress was not as smooth as hoped. In August 2024 nearly a year after the injury Schuurs underwent a second operation due to complications in the healing process. It was a devastating blow. What had already been a difficult comeback now turned into an even longer and more demanding rehabilitation, stretching well into 2025.
Yet through it all, Schuurs remained committed to returning stronger. "There were moments of real doubt," he told Italian media during a rare interview at Torino’s training centre this week. "Not just about football, but about whether I’d be able to train and move pain-free again. For a long time, every step came with discomfort, but I stayed focused and listened to the medical team every step of the way."
That determination is finally starting to pay off. Schuurs has resumed intensive solo training and plans to continue working through the summer, even as many players take their offseason break. His aim is to be fully integrated into the squad by the start of pre-season in July. From there, he hopes to steadily build match fitness and target a return to competitive action sometime between September and October.
“The most important thing is that I’m no longer in pain,” he said. “Not during the hardest exercises, not even when there’s impact or sudden changes in direction. That was always the fear that I’d come back, but my knee would still hold me back. Right now, my focus is on rebuilding the muscle around the joint. I’m working with the strength coaches every day. The feeling is positive. I feel better and stronger with each session.”
For Torino, the return of Schuurs could not come soon enough. Under new manager Paolo Vanoli, the club endured a mixed campaign, finishing in 11th place respectable, but lacking the defensive solidity they had with Schuurs anchoring the back line. Torino struggled at times to cope without his leadership at the heart of the defense, and while other players stepped up in his absence, none quite matched his combination of aerial dominance, anticipation, and composure under pressure.
Vanoli, who took over mid-season, is believed to be eager to reintegrate Schuurs into the side and has already discussed plans with the club’s medical and fitness staff to ensure a smooth transition back to full match readiness. The timing could be crucial with Torino hoping to push for a top-half finish or even a European place next season, having a fully fit Schuurs could be the difference between mid-table comfort and serious ambition.
Meanwhile, interest from bigger clubs hasn’t completely gone away. Although his injury halted any immediate transfer movement, scouts from Serie A and beyond have continued monitoring his progress. Should Schuurs return to his pre-injury levels, a move in the summer of 2026 when he enters the final year of his contract could still be on the cards. For now, however, both player and club are solely focused on his recovery and reintegration.
Schuurs’ journey is a reminder of just how quickly fortunes can change in football. From being one of the most sought-after defenders in Italy to facing the harsh reality of surgery and months of isolation, his resilience has been remarkable. Now, as he stands on the verge of his comeback, there is a renewed sense of purpose and no shortage of motivation.
"Every session now feels like a step closer to being who I was again or maybe even better than before," Schuurs said with quiet confidence. "I’ve learned a lot over these months, not just about my body, but about myself. I’m ready to fight for my place again."
And with that, the long wait for Perr Schuurs may finally be nearing its end much to the relief of Torino fans and the many admirers of his game across Europe.
