Irish man Seán Cox, who suffered serious injuries following an attack ahead of a football match in Liverpool last year, has been transferred to England to begin the next stage in his rehabilitation.
The 54-year-old Liverpool fan was attacked by Roma fans ahead of a Champions League semi-final in Anfield in April 2018. He suffered severe brain injuries.
Italian man Simone Mastrelli, 30, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for the assault of Mr Cox.
In October 2018, another Roma fan, Filippo Lombardi, 21, was cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Cox, though he was jailed for three years for violent disorder.
In a statement, Mr Cox's family say that after nearly 18-months of treatment in Ireland, he is moving to a specialist neurological facility in the north of England for an initial 12-week programme.
The aim of the programme is to develop his speech and movement.
His wife Martina described progress made by Mr Cox over the last 18 months as "extremely slow", adding that his speech remains "very challenged".
"It is unlikely that he ever will walk again which is difficult to accept for someone as active as Seán used to be," she said.
Mrs Cox said that their family home in Dunboyne, Co Meath is being renovated to make it wheelchair accessible.
Specialist equipment is also being installed and the family hopes to have the renovations completed by December.
She said: "Being able to bring Seán to England for rehabilitation and, in time, having him spend more time in our adapted home is all privately funded and has been made possible by the generosity of so many people and organisations who took Seán into their hearts.
"The Cox family remain hugely grateful on Seán's behalf for the ongoing show of support."
The Cox family will make an emotional return to Anfield next month to watch Liverpool play. They are attending the game as a guest of the football team's CEO Peter Moore.
