Second Klasnic transplant succeeds

Friday, 23 March 2007
Werder Bremen striker Ivan Klasnić said he was well after leaving hospital following a second kidney transplant. "I'm fine," Klasnić said. "My wife took me home to Bremen from the hospital in Hannover."
Official statementThe 27-year-old and his wife Patricia also sent a message to the club's official website via their lawyer Klaus-Peter Horndasch to confirm that the three-hour operation, which took place ahead of schedule, had been successful. "Ivan was operated on successfully," said the player's wife. "The kidney was accepted. His father is the donor. Both are well."
Unsuccessful operationCroatian international Klasnić was forced to undergo a kidney transplant because of complications following an appendicectomy last November. The initial procedure in January saw him given a kidney by his mother, but his body rejected the organ. The second attempt has proved more fruitful but Bremen have given no indication of when he is likely to play again. The German side are away to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final on 5 April.
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