'I had scary symptoms for eight months but I am so glad I didn't quit football'

Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
-Credit: (Image: PA)


When Jacob Widell Zetterstrom makes his way out of the tunnel at Sheffield United today, Derby County's goalkeeper will emerge with a helmet that has become an essential piece of kit.

Some may have wondered whether it is to emulate Petr Cech, who ironically is one of his idols, but there is a much deeper story as to why he can never leave home without it. Back in 2019, Zetterstrom suffered two concussions in the space of a few months, the second of which happened while he was on loan at Lidingo from Djurgarden.

It kept him out for more than a year during which time he experienced symptoms that lasted eight months. There were bouts of dizziness and reading became a struggle for someone who loves to bury a head in a book. Even a trip on the bus to the shops could spark a headache out of nowhere. Ultimately it led him to ask himself the question as to whether the risk of playing football was worth it.

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"Three months after I signed my first senior contract with Djurgarden in 2019, I suffered my first concussion," he tells DerbyshireLive in an exclusive interview. I took a knee to the head and that put me out for a month and a half. I came back and went on loan to Lidingo who play in the fourth division in Sweden, but around three months in, I was kicked in the face during a game and had another bout of concussion.

"That kept me out for a year and a half which meant I didn't play for half of 2019 and the whole of 2020. I had symptoms for eight months. I spoke with Djurgarden about it and they said to take a year off and focus on everything but football.

"I had dizziness and couldn't focus on things and, for me, reading has been a major part of my life but I was unable to focus on the words. Sitting on a bus and going to the grocery store I would get headaches just like that. It was scary. I was sent for scans but they didn't show a bleed or anything which was good to hear.

"But concussion is a weird thing. One doctor described it like dropping a computer on the floor. Some computers stay intact but others might smash. But Djurgarden were really nice about it and told me that instead of coming in every single day and thinking maybe I'll come back next week or the week after, and having people asking when are you going to come back, they just took the pressure off me for the entire of 2020.

"There was no football and they just said see how it goes. See how you're feeling and if you're better then start training because there is no pressure from our side. That helped me to refocus and feel calm about it. During that summer when I started feeling better and I had no symptoms, I started working at a school. Once I figured I could be in a room with 11-year-olds, then I knew I was feeling better.

"That's when I started medicine school and did half a year there. But once 2021 came around and there was a new season in Sweden, there were loads of thoughts in my head. Did I contemplate quitting? I did, yes.

"But my mum (Jelena), my family, and the Djurgaden goalkeeping coach, with whom I am really close, all said you're going to regret not coming back and not trying another time. Regret is such a strong emotion so I thought I would try one or two months to see how I was feeling because I was also afraid of what would happen if I got another concussion or if I would be afraid when I was on the pitch.

"But that's why I'm so happy I did try because when you're on the pitch, the fear goes. I felt like I had no problems and I spoke to plenty of doctors about it. They said if you're going to get another concussion you're not at a higher risk than anybody else.

"I came back and they let me try for two months and then I signed my second contract and I never looked back. I haven't had any regrets. These things can happen and that's why I wear the helmet for protection, but it wouldn't be the end of my career if I got another concussion.

"When I finally came back, I think it was my second week and it was like almost exactly the same situation when I got my second concussion but I didn't feel that fear. I have no symptoms now and this was five years ago, but it was a difficult experience which only makes you stronger.

"I am not going to sit here and say I was happy it happened but you will face tough periods in life. I now know the awful feeling of being out from football, especially for a long time, but I also realised how much I like it. You also get a sense of what's important in life as well. I'm not trying to sound like cheesy or anything, but you really do. It was really tough and I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone but also in a way, I was happy because it just makes you stronger."

Derby fans will certainly be glad that Zetterstrom did not turn his back on the game after enduring the most difficult time of his career. Since arriving in the summer from Djurgarden for an undisclosed fee, he has quickly established himself as a huge favourite on the terraces.

Moving between clubs in England can be a difficult experience, but moving from another country leaving behind friends and family is a different proposition altogether. But Zetterstrom has hit the ground running and with style.

Derby's head coach Paul Warne has already nicknamed him the Swedish James Bond and the way Zetterstrom sprinted to join in the celebrations of David Ozoh's goal in the 3-0 win against Bristol City only endeared himself further to the fanbase.

There is already a Zetterstrom chant doing the rounds on social media to the tune of Swedish pop legends ABBA's Mamma Mia which, if it catches on, would be another anthem for the Pride Park hymn book. We may also see him leading some chants too if Derby can lay their hands on a megaphone. At Djurgarden, Zetterstrom would grab one before launching into a sing-song at full-time if they had won.

"The team would always go to the fans and do some chanting and, for some reason, I always had the megaphone in my hand," he continues. "There was one chant that I always did. The captain gave me the megaphone in one of my first games and then it just became a thing. It is some experience to get that big of a crowd all chanting.

"But it has been such an amazing experience to play here at Pride Park. It's indescribable what it is like to play in front of them, so the love goes both ways, but I have to give it to the Sweden fans as well because they're also good at making noise. I knew before that Derby fans make noise, but you're always surprised to be fair when you stand there and listen to how much noise a group of people can make. It's been an amazing first month and I've loved every second of it. From the very first day it's been nothing but smiles."

Having become the highest-profile signing of the summer, Derby's move for the Sweden international is part of their long-term aim to invest in talent that can help them survive and then thrive in the Championship.

Zetterstrom is only 26 and is a long way from reaching his peak as a goalkeeper. But his performances have indicated that after paying a seven-figure sum, it looks a very sound investment. He was excellent in the victory over Bristol City and the double save he made against Cardiff showed agile reflexes for a man who stands at 6ft 6in.

But while he has long dreamed of playing in England, his experience with concussion has taught him not to look too far into the future. Asked about his ambitions, there are no bold claims of wanting to take Derby to the Premier League or becoming a superstar. For Zetterstrom, his only focus is maintaining what has been an impressive start against Sheffield United this afternoon.

"This is a boring answer," he smiles. "But I just think of football one game at a time. Not to be overdramatic or anything because of the concussions but it can all change in an instant. Getting ahead of yourself and thinking if we win that one or these two, I'm not sure it's good for you. I've always thought of football like that. If you're not thinking about the game you have now, then maybe you won't perform well. You just have to stay focused on the game that you have and that is Sheffield United."

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