Jonathan Klinsmann, the goalkeeper for Italian second-tier side Cesena and son of former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann, is currently recovering from a broken neck sustained during a match on Saturday.
The 29-year-old was stretchered off the pitch in a neck brace following a collision with a Palermo player and was immediately transported to a hospital in the Sicilian capital.
Cesena confirmed in a statement that initial tests revealed "a fracture to the first cervical vertebra" alongside a cut to the back of his head. The club added that Klinsmann is scheduled for further examinations with a specialist neurosurgeon.
Klinsmann himself took to Instagram to confirm that his season has been prematurely ended by the injury.
He expressed gratitude to both Cesena and Palermo fans "for the warm wishes”, as well as to "friends and family who have supported me over the last few days."
Born in Munich during his father’s playing career at Bayern, Klinsmann previously had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and has represented the United States at youth level.
He joined Cesena, located in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, two years ago and has since made over 50 appearances for the Serie B club, which is currently managed by former Arsenal, Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole.
Cesena currently sit in eighth spot in Italy’s second division after collecting 44 points from 35 matches.
The team have earned four points from five matches since Cole took charge last month.
This is Cole’s first job in management after previously learning his trade as an assistant manager at club and international level.
He worked as an assistant for Birmingham City under Wayne Rooney, and went on to coach England and England Under-21s.
He coached the Three Lions when Lee Carsley was briefly placed in interim charge following Gareth Southgate’s resignation, prior to Thomas Tuchel taking over at the start of 2025.
