Former Bolton Wanderers striker Ivan Klasnic is fighting for his life after suffering another kidney failure. This is the second time that the Croatian has suffered a kidney failure, after he suffered his first kidney failure in 2006 when representing Bundesliga team Werder Bremen.
The Croatian’s life and career was saved by his father who donated a kidney to him.
However, that kidney has failed now, leaving him once again desperately ill and in need of a new organ. His mother, Sima offered her kidney which was rejected by Klasnic’s body. The 36-year-old now needs a new donor, but the waiting time for getting organs of deceased donors is seven years in Germany.
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Klasnic currently has to go to a medical facility in Hamburg thrice a week for kidney dialysis.
The former striker also spoke about his young daughter and how he wants her to know little about his health, 'Everything should be like normal for her,' he said. 'She knows I am sick and often need to go to the hospital, but she does not know why. I do not want to scare her', as quoted from The Sun.
Donors such as siblings and relatives appear to be no longer an option because his body has now formed antibodies which can prove to be too dangerous for his health.
In 2004, Klasnic won the league and the cup double with Werder Bremen and scored 49 goals in 151 appearances with them.
The striker played for his country at Euro 2008, becoming the only player to ever participate at a major tournament after a transplant. He then joined Bolton from Nantes, scoring 20 goals in 77 games for the Trotters, before he joined German club Mainz on a one-year deal in 2012.
The 36-year-old Premier League striker will now have to rely on deceased organ donors and wait to get on top of the list.
His former club Bolton Wanderers released a statement which said, "Ivan is critically ill after his transplanted kidney failed and everybody at the club is thinking of him and his family during this difficult time."
In May, Klasnic played in a charity match in the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust and Supporters Trust Legends match at Macron Stadium. Fans, teammates, and clubs from all over the world have wished Klasnic a speedy recovery.
