Olympiakos' Kovacevic Undergoes Heart-Op, Career In Doubt

Olympiakos striker Darko Kovacevic has successfully undergone heart surgery in Spain, though his football career in is serious doubt.

The 35 year-old Serb was suffering from a narrowing of the arteries of the heart, though it was confirmed in an official statement on his club’s website that he had been treated.

"Darko Kovacevic underwent a coronary angioplasty in San Sebastian, Spain this morning," the statement read.

"The outcome of the operation is considered a 100% success.”

Kovacevic, who joined the Piraeus club at the beginning of last season, is set to be released from hospital today.

He will undergo a period of prolonged rest before making a decision on his playing career, though reports in Spain and Greece are suggesting that it may come to an end as a result of his heart condition.

The former Yugoslavia international has enjoyed a distinguished career for both club and country, having made over 150 appearances for Real Sociedad in a six year spell with the Spanish club before moving to Olympiakos.

A highly successful first season in Greece saw ‘Darko’ establish himself as a crowd favourite thanks to his goal-scoring exploits on the continental and domestic scene, playing a key role in the club’s memorable UEFA Champions League campaign.

Frontline Reinforcements?

Kovacevic’s operation might just prompt Olympiakos manager Ernesto Valverde into action in the January transfer market, with the Spanish manager’s striking ranks now looking increasingly depleted.

Without the towering forward, the former Espanyol boss only has first-choice striker Diogo and the rather erratic 22 year-old Konstantinos Mitroglou to choose from to fill his favoured lone striker’s role.

Greece international Theofanis Gekas has previously been linked with the Greek giants, though he denied any contact had been made with him in an interview with radio station Sentra 101.3 FM.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com


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