Red Star Belgrade forward, Peter Olayinka has returned to the training pitch after spending over six months on the sidelines recovering from a serious injury.
The Nigerian international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a UEFA Champions League encounter between Red Star and Monaco at Stade Louis II on October 22, 2024.
The injury occurred following a stamp by Monaco captain Denis Zakaria late in the first half.
Despite swelling in his leg, Olayinka chose to continue, a decision that ultimately worsened the damage. A week later, he underwent surgery at a top medical facility in Finland.
Since then, the 29-year-old has been out of competitive action, missing crucial games for his club.
On Monday, Red Star Belgrade confirmed that Olayinka is “back on the grass” after 188 days out, marking a major step forward in his rehabilitation.
The player also posted a photo with the caption “Strong and free,” signaling his readiness to begin the final phase of his recovery.
However, despite his return to light training, he is not expected to feature again this season. For now, Olayinka is limited to individual sessions and is yet to resume full team training.
Red Star Belgrade have five games left, including a Serbian Cup semi-final clash against Napredak on May 7 and their final league fixture on May 24.
The timeline appears too tight for Olayinka to regain match fitness and make a competitive return before the season concludes.
Before the injury, Olayinka had made a promising start to life in Serbia, registering two goals and two assists in just six league appearances.
A full return to team training is expected during pre-season, giving Olayinka the chance to rebuild his form and fitness ahead of a fresh campaign.
