Former Sheffield Wednesday and Norway midfielder Petter Rudi has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND). ALS is the umbrella term used in the US, while MND is commonly used to refer to all forms of the disease in the UK.

Rudi, 52, made 76 Premier League appearances for Wednesday between 1997 and 2000, and earned 46 international caps. He currently works as a scout for Norwegian club Molde.

Sheffield Wednesday posted on their X account: “Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday sends their love and support to our former player Petter Rudi and his family, following his ALS diagnosis.”

Molde’s chief executive, Vegard Storvik, said in a statement: “I have had many nice conversations with Petter.

“It makes a strong impression to experience both his openness and the strength he shows in the face of something so serious.”

According to the MND Association, 5,000 adults are affected by MND at any one time, and there is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime.

Other high-profile athletes to have been diagnosed with the disease include rugby league legend Rob Burrow and England’s rugby union World Cup winner Lewis Moody.

Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and passed away at the age of 41 in June 2024.

Moody, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, announced his own diagnosis last October.

Posting on X, Moody wrote: “I am sharing some tough news. I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

“This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.

“I feel fit and well in myself and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes I will experience as they come.”