Kinetic graduate Omar Richards has shared an open and honest video on what he’s been through the past 12 months since joining Premier League side Nottingham Forest and the impact on him mentally from several different injuries (fracture in shin, double hernia and needing 3 operations). Not something which is always spoken about a lot in terms of having to face and overcome setbacks with long term injuries.
Omar: “Last year was the most difficult year in my career so far. I felt like I just couldn’t catch a break and i’ve never had long term injuries before so it wasn’t easy to deal with this mentally.”
After being released from Fulham FC at U16, Omar came straight into Kinetic to train with our U18 scholars with that group including Joe Aribo, Wes Fonguck and Bradley Wilson. He came on tour with us to the Gothia Cup in Sweden and on return to England signed for Reading after a successful trial at the club. Omar went on to play almost 100 games for Reading across 4 seasons before signing for Bundesliga side Bayern Munich in May 2021. 16 appearances in the 2021/22 season followed including his UEFA Champions League debut away at Benfica in October 2021. He also got his hands on some silverware with Bayern winning the Bundesliga and German Super Cup.
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Everyone at Kinetic Foundation wishes Omar Richards all the best in the final part of his recovery and we can’t wait to see you back on the pitch ASAP!