INTER MILAN star Tajon Buchanan was rushed to hospital in an ambulance following a “freak accident” at the Copa America.
The 25-year-old Canada star suffered a broken leg in training on Monday.
And he now faces a lengthy spell on the sideline, just six months after joining Italian champs Inter in a historic move from Club Brugge for £8.5million.
Buchanan, who can play on the wing or as a full-back, broke his leg as Canada trained the day after their 0-0 Copa America draw against Chile.
The final group stage result saw Canada seal second place behind Argentina, who they lost 2-0 to.
And Canada, who also beat Peru 1-0, now face Venezuela in Saturday’s quarter-final for a place in the last four.
Fans have been loving life under new boss Jesse Marsch, once of Leeds United.
But the American will have to do without Buchanan for the rest of the tournament after hospital scans revealed the speedster broke his tibia during a “freak accident” on the training ground.
Buchanan, who is the first-ever Canadian to feature in Serie A, will undergo surgery later today.
And he looks set to be out for at least nine months, leaving both his club and country in the lurch.
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It’s unclear what exactly caused Buchanan to break his leg.
But Canada teammate and Celtic ace Alistair Johnson revealed it came about following a “bizarre collision.”
Describing the incident as a “freak accident”, he explained: “It’s a really difficult one, all of our minds are focused on this next match.
“The thing with sports is freak accidents can happen. It was a nothing play, just a weird collision.
“Unfortunately stuff like that can happen.”
Buchanan is a 41-time Canada international who is renowned for his speed and graft.
He became a top name in the MLS with New England Revolution before moving to Europe with Belgian side Brugge in 2021.
He helped them to league glory the following year and ended up securing a move to Inter Milan in January.
Buchanan played 10 times in the wing-back role as Simone Inzaghi’s men completed a league and Super Cup double.
But his injury is now likely to force Inter to find a replacement in the summer transfer window.
Group Stage:
Next game (quarter-final):
