Klasnic's kidney surgery unsuccessful

BERLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Croatian international striker Ivan Klasnic's kidney transplant carried out last week was not successful and he will be out of action for at least six months, his attorney said on Monday.

In a statement published on his club Werder Bremen's Web site (www.werder-bremen.de), Klasnic's attorney K.-Peter Horndasch said the kidney transplant on Thursday had failed, dashing hopes he might be back playing within six to eight weeks.

"Unfortunately the transplanted kidney was rejected by his body," Horndasch said. "The exact reasons for that are now being analysed by the doctors. The investigation will take about six weeks.

"The time will be used to perform preliminary tests on other people related to Ivan Klasnic with the goal of attempting another transplantation in about six to eight weeks."

Klasnic, 26, has played for Werder since 2001 and scored 42 goals in 135 matches. He has played 26 times for Croatia, scoring eight goals.

Updated on Monday, Jan 29, 2007 6:08 am EST