Jurgen Klinsmann’s son suffers broken neck while playing in Italy’s second division

Jonathan Klinsmann (pictured) broke his neck on Saturday (Getty)

Jonathan Klinsmann, the goalkeeper for Italian second-tier side Cesena and son of former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann, is currently recovering from a broken neck sustained during a match on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was stretchered off the pitch in a neck brace following a collision with a Palermo player and was immediately transported to a hospital in the Sicilian capital.

Cesena confirmed in a statement that initial tests revealed "a fracture to the first cervical vertebra" alongside a cut to the back of his head. The club added that Klinsmann is scheduled for further examinations with a specialist neurosurgeon.

Klinsmann himself took to Instagram to confirm that his season has been prematurely ended by the injury.

He expressed gratitude to both Cesena and Palermo fans "for the warm wishes”, as well as to "friends and family who have supported me over the last few days."

Jonathan Klinsmann is the son of German football legend Jurgen Klinsmann (pictured) (Getty)

Born in Munich during his father’s playing career at Bayern, Klinsmann previously had a brief stint with the in Major League Soccer and has represented the United States at youth level.