Premier League cult hero shares update after health scare following three kidney transplants

Former Premier League star Ivan Klasnic, who has undergone three kidney transplants, has been released from hospital following a health scare.

The 46-year-old, best known in England for his three years at Bolton, was admitted to hospital last month after contracting a virus.

Klasnic had been experiencing a high fever as a result, leading to him admitting himself to hospital as a precaution due to his medical history.

He remained in hospital while his condition stabilised, but has since informed German newspaper BILD that he has returned home to be with his family.

Klasnic had received well-wishes during the international break, with on-loan Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic dedicating his first goal for the Croatian national team to the former national team striker.

'I would like to dedicate this goal to him, as he has unfortunately been in the hospital for some time now,' Vuskovic said, after scoring in Croatia's 2-1 win over Colombia. 'It is not an easy time for him.'

Former Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic has confirmed he has been released from hospital

The Croatian forward scored 24 goals in 93 games for Bolton during a three year spell between 2009 and 2012

Last year, Klasnic explained how painkillers prescribed by his old club ruined his health following an undiagnosed condition.

'Who knows how much longer I have left to live, I have to be grateful that I am still alive, even though I am ill and I need to take tablets,' Klasnic said in an ARD documentary focused on painkillers in sport.

'Of course I am furious. I would not want anybody to have to endure what I have been through.

'No matter how much money I have received in compensation, it won't bring my health back.

'It is difficult to get by without painkillers if you want to produce a performance on the field.

'I don't think that you can play any form of professional sport without using pain-relief drugs, but had I known that I had kidney problems, I would not have taken those medicines.'

Klasnic won a £4million settlement from former side Werder Bremen in 2020 after painkillers given by the club led to his renal disease getting worse.

He had played for Werder Bremen between 2001 and 2008. In 2007 he suffered kidney failure and required his first transplant - which ruled him out for 10 months.

Klasnic won a £4million settlement from former side Werder Bremen in 2020 after painkillers given by the club led to his renal disease getting worse

Klasnic has been open about his health battle after his kidney transplants and appeared in a German television documentary last year

The following year, Klasnic claimed club doctors had already been aware of the problem in 2002 and brought legal action against them.

Two doctors who worked on the club's behalf were punished as a result of the lawsuit.

Klasnic had won a league and cup double at Bremen in the 2003-4 season, while he scored 12 goals in 41 appearances for Croatia.

The Croatian forward signed for Bolton in the Premier League in 2009, going on to score 24 goals in 93 games.

By the time he arrived at Bolton, he had already had two kidney transplants and then had another one after becoming seriously ill in 2016.

Klasnic left Bolton after their relegation from the Premier League in 2012 for a brief spell at Mainz, where he retired in 2013.

Despite his health battles, Klasnic has represented a Werder Bremen legends team since retiring from football.