Dejan Kulusevski reveals he declined knee transplant during 18-month injury absence

Kulusevski reveals he rejected a knee transplant option during his 18-month recovery from a patella injury, choosing instead to play through pain.

Dejan Kulusevski has opened up about his lengthy recovery from a patella injury sustained in May 2025 that sidelined him for 526 days, including the entire 2025/26 season. During his rehabilitation, the Tottenham winger was offered the option of a knee transplant but declined it after doctors advised the procedure carried only a 50/50 chance of success and risked extending his absence further.

Instead, Kulusevski opted to train normally and play through pain once he returned to action. He credited a Serbian doctor recommended by former teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ivan Perisic with providing crucial psychological support during the recovery process.

The 26-year-old has since made substitute appearances for Spurs against Coventry, Palace and Leeds, and has been selected for Sweden's Nations League fixtures this month, which would mark his first international appearance in two years.