American goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann undergoes successful surgery after suffering broken neck

ArgentinaAustraliaBelgiumBrazilCameroonCanadaCosta RicaCroatiaDenmarkEcuadorEnglandFranceGermanyGhanaIranJapanMexicoMoroccoNetherlandsNorthern IrelandPolandPortugalQatarRepublic of IrelandSaudi ArabiaScotlandSenegalSerbiaSouth KoreaSpainSwitzerlandTunisiaUruguayUSMNTUSWNTWalesPodcastsAmerican goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann undergoes successful surgery after suffering broken neckThe 29-year-old is the son of former U.S. manager and Germany great Jurgen Klinsmann. John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images Share articleAmerican goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann is recovering after successful surgery on the broken neck he suffered playing for his Italian club on Saturday. The USMNT hopeful, who is the son of former U.S. manager and Germany great Jurgen Klinsmann, had to be taken off the field on a stretcher in added time of his team Cesena’s 2-0 Serie B defeat at Palermo following a collision with an opposition player. He was rushed to hospital where tests revealed that along with a cut to his head, the 29-year-old had sustained a fracture of his first cervical vertebra and serious neck ligament damage. On Wednesday, the former LA Galaxy player, who was born in Munich but spent much of his childhood in California, underwent surgery at a top clinic in the German city of Heidelberg. A source close to the goalkeeper, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that although a complicated procedure on what was a severe fracture, the operation was a success. Writing on Instagram on Monday, Klinsmann had confirmed the injury means he will not play again this season. “During the match I suffered a fracture to my spine which will sideline me for a while,” he wrote. “I want to thank everyone on the ground and at the hospital here in Palermo, the fans of both Cesena and Palermo for the warm wishes and of course my friends and family who have supported me over the last few days. “Good luck to the boys in our playoff push and I will see you all very soon.” Klinsmann has become an important part of Cesena’s bid for promotion to Serie A this season, with 35 appearances. They are in eighth place, which would secure a promotion play-off spot. In November he was an unused substitute for the USMNT in their 2-1 friendly win over Paraguay. In an interview with The Athletic last August, Klinsmann, who was born in Munich but spent much of his childhood in California, said he would “love to be part of” Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. He has represented the U.S. up to under-23 level and while he has received call-ups to the senior side, he is yet to make his senior international debut. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms