Ex-Barcelona star hospitalised after dog bites his genitals in freak accident

A footballer suffered a dog bite to his genitals and was hospitalised as a result. Former Barcelona ace Carles Perez is not in a serious condition but could yet face surgery and required six stitches to seal his wound.

Perez, who spent eight years with the Catalan giants, now plays for Aris Thessaloniki and was walking his own dog when the incident took place. The 27-year-old came out worse for wear when trying to separate the hounds, according to reports.

The player, currently on loan in the Greak Super League from Celta Vigo, is said to have been treated in a private hospital in Panorama, a suburb outside Thessaloniki. Perez is 'under observation' and looks set for some time off the pitch with no timeframe for his return — the attacker will miss his side's Conference League qualification match against Araz-Naxçıvan PFK.

Aris manager Marinos Ouzounidis confirmed that Perez would have started the clash, as the Greek side attempt to overcome a 2-1 deficit, before the freak incident took place. Ouzounidis said: "Carles would have been in the starting line-up.

"This incident happened but we can’t dwell on it any longer. My mind is working on alternative solutions and we have worked on them.

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“That’s why I insist that it’s important to have players with personality. So I’m interested in the group of players that I will have at my disposal, to give the most they can.”

Perez is looking to rejuvinate his career in Thessaloniki after the side agreed a loan deal with option to buy. The Spain youth international failed to convince Getafe to secure his signature permanently after his loan there last season and Celta Vigo were said to be looking to cement an exit for their charge 'for months'.

The ex-Barcelona youth starhas played just once for his new club thus far before being dramatically stopped in his tracks. Perez played 90 minutes in Aris' first leg defeat against Araz-Naxçıvan.

Perez made 13 senior appearances for Barca before moving on loan to Serie A side Roma. The deal for the Spaniard included an obligation to buy as he his way to eight goals in 75 appearances as the club won the Conference League.

After two seasons Perez was once again on loan as he made a return to La Liga with Celta before they too made his move a permanent one.

After making his exit from Barcelona at 22, after making his debut a year before and featuring 12 times in the months before it, Perez expressed his frustration with the manner of his departure from Camp Nou. "I didn't understand my exit, but I respect the decision and thank the club for their treatment of me over the years," Perez told Marca in 2020.

"People talk about the academy, but sometimes they prefer to spend millions and don't have patience with young players. That's how it is. People have to forget my past there."

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