Jordan White is relishing a fresh start with Caley Thistle after a nightmare illness that threatened to derail his career.
During his time with Wrexham two years ago, White was struck down with a mystery blood infection that left him hospitalised and struggling to walk, putting him out of the game for six months.
White had come back from holiday in America and went away with Wrexham in pre-season when he fell ill. He was given antibiotics to treat the infection but an abscess formed on his leg, requiring surgery to drain poison from his body.
The new Caley Jags signing was told that such an illness could have proved fatal for people not as fit as he was and he was restricted to walking with a zimmer frame. If he had not had an operation, he risked paralysis in his hips.
Thankfully White has suffered no ill effects from that scare in 2016 and is looking forward to a fresh start back in Scotland.
He said: “The worst part was being in hospital for two weeks and essentially having to learn to walk again. If I had gone a couple more days without going to hospital then it could have been a lot more serious.
“I felt fine when I came back from America but when I went away for pre-season, maybe I caught an infection that attacked a weak area in my body. Initially I was only going to be out for two months because I was taking antibiotics but the poison had built up (in his leg) and I needed an operation. If I didn’t it could have paralysed my hip area, so that was important.
“I came back from it and although it was a bit sore, touch would I’ve not had anything like that since. I’m not someone who’s had a long-term injury before.
Absolutely buzzing to sign for @ICTFC really looking forward to the challenge! All the best to @BarrowAFC next season too! Big thanks to @scotmclaughlin for sorting everything! ⚽??
— Jordan white (@Jordan92White) June 6, 2018
“I’m coming to a really good club in the community and it’s a fresh start for me. I want to show everyone what I can do – I’ve done it in the Championship before. I’m looking forward to meeting the boys on Monday and can’t wait to get started.”
White played for Clyde and Falkirk before hitting the goal trail in two seasons with Stirling Albion. He joined Livingston in 2014 and netted 31 times in 88 games, leaving after they were relegated to League 1.
The 26-year-old spent the last two seasons south of the border, first for Wrexham and then Barrow during the 2017-18 season, with both sides in the National League.
White added: “My time down south was unfortunate and there were a few contributing factors. I had the illness for six months, the manager who brought me to Wrexham got sacked and when I moved to Barrow, the manager who brought me there left after five games.
“Training all the time to sit on the bench wasn’t something I wanted to do. If I’m not playing well I understand it but at times, I maybe wasn’t playing when I felt I deserved to be.”