United States defender Sergiño Dest has confirmed he has torn his ACL and is facing a lengthy spell out of action, ruling him out of this summer’s Copa América.

Dest picked up the injury in training with PSV Eindhoven on April 20. The club originally described it as a serious knee injury. But Dest, 23, has since confirmed on social media that he has suffered a torn ACL, an injury which will likely rule him out for the rest of the calendar year.

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“I want to give you an update on the injury myself,” Dest said. “I tore my ACL. Hearing it [the news] was very painful. I will be out for a long period of time.

“Soon I will be operated on and then I will work on my recovery. It will be tough for me. I know that I will come out of this stronger, that’s for sure. For the rest, it is now to hope for the best and find the old version of myself again.”

It is a bitter blow for Dest who has excelled for PSV this season. The side are on the verge of winning the Eredivisie, needing a point this weekend to secure their 25th Dutch title. Dest has played a key role in that run having arrived at the club on loan from Barcelona ahead of this season.

PSV have an option to sign Dest on a permanent deal this summer, but both player and club will need to agree to that. Dest was expected to feature prominently for the USMNT this summer in Copa América, but will be focusing on his recovery from this serious setback.