FORMER Premier League star Anel Ahmedhodzic has cheated death – after a fire ripped through his family home.
The Sheffield United defender, 25, has endured a nightmare year with the Blades relegated from the top flight in May.
Sweden-born Ahmedhodzic came in for severe criticism after retiring from the Bosnia and Herzegovina national side in early autumn.
A row blew up when the player’s dad Mirsad blamed Ahmedhodzic’s wife for his decision.
The centre-back has just landed a three-match ban after being sent off in United’s 2-2 weekend draw at Coventry.
And wife Marijana has now revealed how Ahmedhodzic rescued her and their 18-month old son Isak when a blaze destroyed their home.
“We had a near-death experience,” she told Swedish paper Expressen.
“A fire broke out in our house in July.
“I was asleep, as was our son Isak. Thankfully, and I really mean it, Anel was awake.
“He smelled the smoke, and got us out before it escalated. We lost all our belongings.
“I think the toughest part was losing all our son’s things, his baby clothes and favourite blanket.
“To see our son’s room pitch black after the fire. This is the first time we have spoken about it.
“We are happy and grateful to have lived through it. I have definitely changed after the fire.
“Thinking and talking about it is definitely hard for us, and I think that is why we haven’t told anyone.
“Being forced to move and start over, while pregnant with our second child, was tough.
“The problems with Anel’s national team came right after that, and on top there were the things with Anel’s father.
“It has definitely not been the best year. People should know that our life is not perfect.”
