A BRITISH footballer left in a coma following an horrific, unprovoked attack will leave hospital to join his family for Christmas Day.
His loved ones have called it a “Christmas miracle”.
Danny Hodgson, who plays for Western Australian side ECU Joondalup, was punched in the back of the head at a Perth train station.
The former Carlisle United star hit his head on the floor after falling and suffered a bleed to the brain, leaving him in a coma.
Hodgson – nicknamed Ironman by doctors – spent weeks in intensive care before being transferred to a rehabilitation hospital.
But in what his family are calling a ‘Christmas miracle’, the 26 year old will be allowed to spend December 25 at home with his loved ones.
On Christmas Eve, an emotional family statement described the news as the ‘perfect gift’.
It read: “Today, Danny is preparing to leave hospital for a very short time with his beautiful [partner] Jess at his side to be part of our family Christmas.
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“Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the medical and rehabilitation staff at Fiona Stanley Hospital who have helped to make this possible.
“Danny’s home visit is the most perfect gift we could ask for and all the proof we need that Christmas miracles do happen.”
Mum Nicola and dad Peter have flown to Australia to spend Christmas with Danny and partner Jess.
A 17 year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm earlier this month.
At the time, Hodgson’s parents described the news as providing a ‘small amount of closure to a horrific chapter’.
They added: “One act of violence lead to thousands of acts of kindness.
“The love shown to us as a family has gotten us this far.”
Hodgson played for League Two side Carlisle United before moving to Perth at the age of 18.
The talented youngster won the National Premier League WA title with ECU Joondalup in 2020.
He was also awarded the Golden Boot as the competition’s leading goalscorer in the same season.
Manchester United star Dean Henderson and ex-England stopper Scott Carson have both tweeted about the horror attack.
Henderson even donated £3,000 to the cause.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk