Former Ghana, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers striker Junior Agogo has spoken for the first time about the devastating effect of the stroke he suffered two years ago, revealing it has left him lacking confidence and socially isolated.
The 38-year-old suffered the stroke in January 2015 soon after retiring from football, this subsequently led to Aphasia, which severely affects a person’s ability to use language.
The former Black Stars striker who is now cared for by his mother appeared in the BBC Four documentary on Sunday to raise awareness of Aphasia on World Stroke Day.
Agogo, who took Ghana to third place in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, was speaking for the first time since suffering the ailment and has since been assisted by his mother.
The former English Premier League footballer, talks well but loses his thread. “I had thoughts but where is my voice man?” Junior Agogo sarcastically asks when conducting the interview.
Sometimes he runs in the park with his dog, but he is usually in his flat with his mother, or he stays in bed. He appears to have lost his self-confidence. He wants to be going somewhere but he cannot. Agogo, 38, wants to help raise awareness of the condition, which affects around one in three stroke victims.
The forward began his career with the Owls, playing three games for the then Premier League side between 1997 and 2000.
He went on to score over 100 career goals, his most notable spell coming with Bristol Rovers, for whom Agogo scored 45 goals in 140 games between 2003 and 2006.
He also helped Nottingham Forest to promotion from League One in 2007/2008, finishing as the club’s top goalscorer as they finished runners-up in the division.
Credit: Ghanasoccernet
