Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S GREAT TO GET MY OWN RESTART
Wigan’s Robinson cleared for return after heart scare ended dream move to AC Milan
ANTONEE ROBINSON can finally start rebuilding his career – after almost going from obscurity to AC Milan.
The full-back was just hours away from completing a dream move from Wigan to the Italian giants on transfer deadline day in January when his medical revealed he had an irregular heart rhythm.
Milan, who wanted the highly-talented 22-year-old as cover for regular left-back Theo Hernandez, were forced to pull the plug on the £6million deal and a devastated
Robinson returned to England with his career in pieces.
The USA star, who was born in
Milton Keynes to an American dad, spent months having treatment and heart specialists struggled to solve his problem.
Now, six months later, the former Everton trainee has been given the all clear to start training again with Paul Cook’s Latics.
Robinson, who cost £2m from Goodison last summer, is relieved that he can now get his career back on track.
He hopes to play some part in Wigan’s relegation fight.
They are two points and two places above the drop zone ahead of their return to Championship action a weektoday at Huddersfield.
“I can’t wait to get back to doing what I love,” said Robinson.
“It’s been challenging, but I have good people around me.
I’m glad to be able to train and have the chance to play for Wigan again.”
Robinson’s irregular heartbeat had gone undetected before it was picked up during his medical in Milan.
Initially, no one disclosed the reason for the collapse of his transfer and Robinson came clean in March because Latics fans had been asking him why he was not playing.
Robinson (below, watching Wigan after the move fell through) also revealed he was due to have a procedure called a cardiac ablation to try and correct his problem, but it was cancelled because of the coronavirus.
His specialists then decided he did not require it and an independent cardiologist has given him a clean bill of health, claiming he no longer has an irregular heart rhythm.
And Robinson is very grateful for all of the care he has received.
He added: “I’d like to thank everyone who supported me over the last few months, with a special thanks to Wigan’s club doctor Jonathan Tobin and the medical staff, as well as the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital team.”