Czech striker Fenin seeks treatment for depression

Posted Tuesday, October 18, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Czech Republic striker Martin Fenin will seek treatment for depression and substance abuse.

Fenin, who is in stable condition in a Cottbus hospital recovering from a brain hemorrhage, will take time out from football once he is released to seek support, according to his club Energie Cottbus.

“I’ve finally realized that I cannot get my illness under control by myself,” the 24-year-old Fenin said in a statement released by the club on Tuesday. “The feeling of resignation, loneliness with waves of depression has been accompanying me for several months.”

Fenin said he sought “an escape” in “medicine and addictive substances.”

“I fought against it and have to admit now that I cannot solve this problem without help,” Fenin said. “I need time away under intensive medical care to be able to come back healthy and reach my top level again.”

Fenin was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit on Saturday.

The striker played 89 Bundesliga matches and scored 14 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt. But he never lived up to early promise and left the club when Eintracht was relegated last season, moving to second-division side Cottbus.

Fenin is the latest player to seek treatment after the suicide of Hannover goalkeeper Robert Enke in November 2009 after a bout of depression.

Hannover’s backup ‘keeper Markus Miller said in May that he would undergo therapy for mental exhaustion, while Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick resigned last month because of burnout.

Fenin has scored three goals in 16 appearances for the Czech Republic.