Nikola Pokrivac dies aged 39 after tragic car crash involving four vehicles

Croatian international Nikola Pokrivac has died following a car accident in Karlovac on Friday. The 39-year-old was reportedly involved in a collision which involved four vehicles and also killed one other person. Pokrivac was in a vehicle with three of his NK Vojnic team-mates. They were left injured, two of them being in critical condition.

The Croatian Federation, known domestically as the HNS, said in a statement: "It is impossible to find words of comfort in such a shocking and unimaginably sad moment when we have lost a young life."

Their President Marijan Kustic added: "It is impossible to find words of comfort in such a shocking and unimaginably sad moment when we have lost a young life. I can only express my deepest condolences to Nikola's family and loved ones for this irreplaceable loss, and the HNS and the Croatian football family will stand by them in these most difficult moments.

"Nikola was an exceptional footballer who lived for football until his very last moment in this , and who showed great courage in life by overcoming a cruel illness. This is a great loss for our football community, and especially painful for his family. Our prayers are with Nikola and his family."

The former midfielder played for from 2008 to 2010, earning 15 caps, during a career that also saw him play for Ligue 1 side and Austrian outfit .

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In 2008 he received his first call-up for the Croatia and won his final cap for his country in October 2010 during a friendly against Norway. Pokrivac was part of the squad that impressed at Euro 2008, beating Germany in the group stages, before going out in the last eight.

The midfielder also played in a 5-1 defeat to England at Wembley in the lead up to the World Cup in 2010. During his career he won the Croatian title numerous times with Dinamo Zagreb and also landed the Austrian title whilst playing in Salzburg.

The Zagreb-based outfit have offered an emotional statement which read: "With great sadness and disbelief, we received the news of the severe traffic accident in Karlovac in which, unfortunately, our former player Nikola Pokrivač lost his life. Nikola will forever remain part of the Dinamo family – as a talented midfielder, a fighter on the pitch, and a man with a big heart. 

"He played for the Blues 69 times and contributed to four championship titles and three Cup winners' trophies. To his family, as well as the families of all those who perished in this tragic accident, GNK Dinamo expresses sincere and profound condolences."

Monaco have also been among those to pay tribute to their former midfielder as they said: "The Club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of its former midfielder Nikola Pokrivac. To his family and loved ones, AS Monaco extends its most sincere condolences."

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