US goalkeeper Klinsmann sidelined with spine injury

The 29-year-old American confirms that he faces an indefinite recovery period

Jul 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann  protects the goal during the second half against the Los Angeles FC at Rose Bowl. Reuters

Cesena goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing his spine during Saturday's Serie B match against Palermo, jeopardising his potential inclusion in the US World Cup squad.

The 29-year-old American, son of former Germany international and World Cup winner Juergen Klinsmann, confirmed in a social media post that he faces an indefinite recovery period.

"Unfortunately my season came to an end on Saturday. During the match I suffered a fracture to my spine which will sideline me for a while," he said in a post on Instagram on Monday.

Klinsmann had emerged as a potential US squad member following a reliable campaign in Italy.

Cesena sit eighth in the Italian second tier with 44 points after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Palermo.

While Klinsmann earned several call-ups to the national team for recent friendlies, he remains uncapped after failing to see game time during those windows.

Born in Germany but raised in California, Klinsmann rose through the US youth ranks toward the end of his father’s five-year tenure as head coach for the national team from 2011 to 2016.

The US are to open their World Cup campaign at home to Paraguay on Jun 12, before facing Australia and Turkey in Group D.