Ex-New Zealand goalkeeper Jake Gleeson wins $20m lawsuit against Portland Timbers team doctor after being left 'unable to walk without pain'

ESPN reports that Jake Gleeson underwent surgery in 2018 to treat stress fractures in both legs, but they became infected. It was alleged that the plates inserted into the former New Zealand international's legs weren't properly sterilised by Timbers team doctor, Dr Richard Edelson. Now, a jury has ruled in the 34-year-old's favour, with the former stopper set to receive just over $20m (£15.5m) as a result.

Gleeson said after the verdict: "It's been a very hard six-and-a-half years, some weeks are better than others, some days are better than others. But it's been very difficult. I think now moving forward from this case, I just want to be an advocate that when you're put under anesthesia from a doctor, you expect them to follow these guidelines and these policies. It doesn't matter if you're an MLS player, it doesn't matter if you're an NFL player, it doesn't matter if you work a desk job. When you sign that consent form, you're signing that they're going to do everything in their power to keep you safe. This doctor did not do that."

The report adds that Gleeson is now 'unable to walk without pain' as a result of the surgery mishap, with the ex-Team Wellington player having 14 operations in total. This ended his career when he was just 28 and after a four-and-a-half-year legal process, Gleeson - who was at Timbers from 2010-18 - has won this court battle.

The report adds that while an appeal is likely, Gleeson was also awarded more than $400,000 for past medical expenses, $387,500 for future medical expenses and $2m for past lost wages. The total came to $20.4m.