Panathinaikos striker Cyril Dessers has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on a tendon injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations, bringing an abrupt end to a campaign heavily disrupted by fitness setbacks, Sunday PUNCH reports.

The Nigeria international, who joined the Greek club last summer, has endured a difficult first season in Athens, struggling to establish consistency after a series of injuries limited his impact in the squad.

Dessers suffered a rupture involving a tendon linked to the rectus femoris in his right leg while on international duty with Nigeria in Morocco, ahead of their AFCON group-stage fixtures.

According to reports from Sportal Greece, both player and club initially opted for a conservative recovery plan in the hope that the injury would heal naturally and allow a late-season return.

However, complications emerged when he resumed more intensive training in March, with recurring discomfort forcing further medical checks.

Those examinations confirmed that the injury had not healed sufficiently, leaving surgery as the only viable long-term solution. The striker has since undergone an operation abroad, with Panathinaikos now overseeing his rehabilitation programme.

With the latest prognosis, Sportal added that Dessers could return to group training in early July, provided his recovery continues without complications.

He is expected to rejoin Panathinaikos’ pre-season programme with a delay of around 10 to 15 days as he gradually rebuilds fitness.

A season that began with promise has instead developed into a prolonged struggle for the forward, who has managed only eight appearances, three goals and one assist across all competitions. Despite flashes of quality, injuries have repeatedly stalled his momentum.

His setback at the first began after a collision during a training session following the win over Young Boys, which led to a bone bruise in his ankle and kept him out for around two and a half months.

He later returned to action in December, showing encouraging form before suffering the more serious AFCON injury.

His absence is a significant blow for the club as they approach the business end of the season, while his recovery is also expected to influence Panathinaikos’ plans in the transfer market ahead of their European campaign.

The focus of the 31-year-old now shifts entirely to rehabilitation, with the coming months offering a crucial opportunity to reset and restart his career in Athens ahead of the new season.