Ex-Watford star rushed to hospital after 'terrifying' car crash | OneFootball

Former Watford player Rey Manaj has been involved in a car crash after returning from training with current club Sivasspor.

Former Watford forward Rey Manaj has been involved in a car crash in Turkey, hours after he had played for current club Sivasspor, although he is said to be ‘out of danger’.

The 28-year-old had a short spell with the Hornets in the 2022/23 season, joining from Barcelona after he had played for the B team of the Catalan giants.

However, Manaj managed just one goal in six league appearances for Watford, with a hamstring injury disrupting his progress before his contract was mutually terminated.

Rey Manaj involved in serious car crash after Sivasspor training

Sadly, he has been in the news for non-football reasons over the past 24 hours, after Manaj was involved in a car accident in the city of Sivas.

The Sun has explained how the forward was ‘rushed to hospital’ after his vehicle was involved in a ‘terrifying’ collision as Manaj made his way home from the clubs training ground.

This came after the team had returned to the city following a 1-1 draw with Adana Demirspor, where Manaj had played the full 90 minutes.

Thankfully, the update adds that the player is ‘out of danger’, although he was kept in hospital overnight as he is monitored following the accident.

Manaj only returned to Sivasspor at the end of January after a brief spell with Al Sharjah sandwiched in between.

The Albanian has quickly settled on his return to Sivasspor, scoring two goals in his first three games, with the team struggling in the bottom half of the Turkish second tier.

Rey Manaj will hope to fulfil his World Cup dream with Albania

Obviously, when you hear news like this, football is irrelevant, and all connected to Watford and in the game will be wishing Manaj all the best in his recovery.

Ultimately, that’s the only thing that matters, and the initial update was positive in the sense that he is out of danger.

For Manaj, he will no doubt be desperate to get back out on the pitch, as he is at an important moment in his career.

The move to Sivasspor allowed him to return to a club he knows well, and he should be capable of scoring goals on a consistent basis in Turkey, which he did in the past.

Yet, the main goal for Manaj this year will be to try and help Albania to the World Cup in America.

They have been drawn against Poland in the play-offs, with the winner of the tie facing either Sweden or Ukraine for a place at the tournament.

That game is set to be played at the end of March, and whilst he is not a guaranteed starter, you would expect Manaj to be called up if he is fit and available, with the forward having won 44 caps for his country, scoring 11 goals.

So, he will be desperate to be involved if it’s at all possible, and there are likely to be updates on his condition in the coming days ahead of his return to the pitch.