Preston striker Ched Evans faces 'life-changing consequences' as he steps away from football for surgery on a mysterious 'serious medical condition' caused by 'repeated forceful contact'

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Ched Evans is facing 'life-changing consequences' due to high-force collisions sustained during his career and has taken a leave of absence from football. 

Ched Evans will undergo surgery after the Preston forward developed a serious condition

Preston confirmed Evans faces potentially 'life-changing consequences' from the condition

No timeframe has been given for Evans' possible return, if he chooses to play on after surgery.

Football has found itself being linked to American football and rugby more than ever, chiefly because of a dementia connection due to repetitive head trauma.

Lowe added: 'We'll be there for him every day, whatever he needs we'll be there for him and the family. It's sickening to get that news in the blink of an eye.'

Evans last played for Preston on March 14 against Rotherham, with the forward scoring in a 2-1 win.

The forward was substituted with a neck injury in the match and missed the club's subsequent two games.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe said the club will continue to offer Evans and his family their support.

Evans has not played since being substituted in Preston's 2-1 win over Rotherham in March

Preston manager Ryan Lowe said the club will continue to support Evans and his family

'He's got a strong family behind him who will make sure he's right,' Lowe added.

'Once he's had the surgery we'll hopefully see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel because having the surgery doesn't mean that's him done.

'He'll have to decide what he wants to do with his future and whatever he chooses to do we'll back 100%.'

Evans is Preston's top scorer this season with nine goals in all competitions for the club, who are 10th in the Championship.

The striker has scored 16 goals in 73 matches since joining the club in 2021 from Fleetwood Town.

Evans had spent four years away from the game after being found guilty of raping a 19-year-old girl back in 2014, while he was playing for Sheffield United.

He ended up serving two-and-a-half years in prison, half his five-year sentence, but in 2016 he was able to have his conviction overturned following a retrial.

The jury in the retrial agreed sex in a Rhyl Premier Inn with the woman, who cannot be named, was consensual.

Evans, pictured with his wife Natasha, was cleared of rape in 2016 by a court following a retrial

The striker resumed his football career with Chesterfield giving him a one-year deal in 2016

Evans later rejoined Sheffield United before moving on to Fleetwood Town and Preston

Sheffield United had invited him back to training in November 2014 but withdrew amid an outcry in which sponsors threatened to boycott the club and celebrity patrons, including Jessica Ennis-Hill, threatened to sever links with the club. Oldham and Hartlepool also expressed an initial interest in Evans but quickly backtracked.

The footballer returned to the sport in 2016 after signing a one-year deal with Chesterfield. He told the Mail on Sunday the same year that he wanted to 'let the football do the talking' after his 'nightmare'.

Despite revoking their offer to train in 2014, Sheffield United later signed Evans from Chesterfield in 2017. Evans failed to score in his second spell with the Blades. The Welsh forward joined Fleetwood Town in 2018, scoring 37 goals in 99 appearances. 

A reported dressing room altercation involving Evans led to then Fleetwood manager Joey Barton leaving the club. Evans later departed on an initial loan to Preston in 2021 which was later made  permanent.