Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber has been ruled out for up to 10 months with a knee injury.
The 24-year-old tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee last week, a recurrence of the problem that he initially picked up in December.
Badstuber underwent a surgery on Monday and it has now been revealed that he will miss almost the entire 2013-14 campaign.
"On Monday May 20, 2013, Dr Richard Steadman performed surgery on Holger Badstuber in Vail, Colorado," reads a statement on Bayern's official website.
"Due to extensive ruptures, the player's cruciate ligament is no longer functional and was removed. Before the cruciate can be reconstructed using a surgical tissue graft replacement, the incisions and holes from the original op must heal completely.
"Until then, Holger Badstuber will maintain his physical fitness in sports rehab. The doctors in charge of the case estimate the player will be fit again in around 10 months. The injury is not career-threatening."
Holger Badstuber has been with the Bayern first team since 2009.
