Chelsea great Branislav Ivanovic’s footballer cousin has died – after suffering a heart attack on the pitch during a game.
Serbia international Dejan Milovanovic captained his hometown club Red Star Belgrade, winning seven trophies.
-Branislav Ivanovic’s cousin has died after a heart attack[/caption]
GettyDejan Milovanovic suffered his first heart attack while playing a game[/caption]
He had a spell with French side Lens, winning a Ligue 2 title, and also played for Greeks Panionios before retiring in 2014.
But tragedy struck on Tuesday when Milovanovic, 41, turned out for a Red Star veterans’ team.
The defender had already scored an early goal against PKB Korporacija when he collapsed as he prepared to take a corner.
He was revived and rushed to hospital, but then suffered a second and fatal heart attack.
The Veterans League have postponed their next fixture following the shock news.
A statement read: “Dear club representatives, a few minutes ago, during a veterans’ match, Dejan Milovanović, a player of FK Zvezdara, passed away.
“For this reason, the next round, which was supposed to be played on September 18, will be postponed.”
Lens paid tribute to twice-capped Milovanovic, who inspired them to promotion in 2009.
They wrote: “We learned with deep emotion of the cruel loss of Dejan Milovanovic, aged 41, on Tuesday.
“A Blood and Gold player between 2008 and 2010, the Serbian midfielder wore the Lens shirt 47 times.
“The clubs sends its deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
Milovanovic’s cousin Ivanovic spent nine years with Chelsea, making 377 appearances and scoring 34 goals before leaving in 2017.
The defender, 41, helped the Blues win ten trophies, including the Champions League, Europa League and three Premier League titles.
Capped 105 times by Serbia, he ended his playing career with West Brom in 2021.
Ivanovic is considered to be in the club’s greatest starting XI by AI alongside the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
