Injured Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins will undergo surgery on his ruptured quadriceps tendon in the United Kingdom, his Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua have announced.
Martins suffered a quadriceps tendon rupture while in action for Shanghai Shenhua in an Asian Champions League game against Kashima Antlers which ended 2-2 in midweek.
"Martins is flying to UK for surgery today. Be well soon," a Shanghai Shenhua Twitter account announced on Thursday with a picture of the former Newcastle United and Birmingham City star in a wheelchair surrounded by his current teammates at the airport.
The 33-year-old expressed gratitude to his Shanghai Shenhua teammates who wished his speedy recovery in an Instagram post.
"Thanks for the love, see you guys soon. One love ️keep the fighting spirit @shanghaishenhua," Martins wrote beneath a video he posted on his Instagram page.
He will be out of action for up to seven months, according to the club's official website.
Martins scored four goals in seven games in all competitions this season before he got injured and his faint hopes of making it to the Russia 2018 World Cup have been dashed.
Comments