Ivan Klasnić, better known to most Croatian soccer fans as ‘Killer’, has just signed a 4-year deal with French club, FC Nantes. Nantes has just been promoted to France’s 1st Division for the 2008-09 season after finishing second in Ligue 2 last year. The exact terms of the contract have not yet been released.
Klasnić has been in Germany at Werder Bremen since 2001. He had a good career in Bremen scoring 49 goals in 150 matches. In January of 2007, Klasnić was diagnosed with kidney failure, underwent 2 kidney transplants after his body rejected the kidney from his mother, and did not play again until November of that year. He made an incredible comeback scoring 2 goals at Euro 2008; one of which should have put Croatia in the semifinals.
Klasnić still blames the Werder Bremen doctors for not diagnosing his kidney problem earlier. They also did not release Klasnić to play after the second successful transplant because of the expected strain it would put on his body. Ivan consulted others doctors who ultimately gave him the green light.
Pictured above is a jubilant Ivan Klasnić at a Euro 2008 press conference when asked if he would return to play for Werder Bremen after the emotional rollercoaster they put him through. I’m sure no translation will be needed.
Change of scenery…he wasn’t very happy in Germany…sure he could have gone to another Bundesliga team but maybe he wasn’t felling it…let him be the face of Nantes and then get bought out by a bigger team down the line….he just needed to get out of there….let’s now see if he can dominate goal scoring…..
How can it be “good” going from playing champions league football and fighting for the bundesliga title to playing for a newly promoted side whose top goal is to attain mid-table mediocrity?!? Seriously, if he were to sign for a newly promoted epl or la liga side it might make sense but to step down in both the league(ligue un is the 5th best league, bundesliga the 4th) and the team seems not very “good”…
Anyhow, i wish him well…
I agree. Good for Nantes, good for Ivan and what a bargain. I’m soooooooooooo glad he didn’t go to Turkey. And btw chaps. GREAT PICTURE!!!!!!!
Long live the “Killer”!!!!!!!!!!!
Ivan has showed class and strength in his return to top flight football during Euro 2008. He is an example to the younger players on Croatian national team of hard work, discipline and desire.
I think that the “Killer” will do well in France and I’m happy for him and his family and fans.