Ex-Championship star, 28, hailed for saving player's life after Karius clash

FORMER Championship star Nikola Katic has been hailed a hero for saving an opponent's life - after the player was floored by ex-Liverpool keeper Loris Karius.

Defender Katic, now with German club Schalke , played for Plymouth Argyle last season.

3 Former Plymouth star Nikola Katic saved the life of Joel Grodowski after a horror collision in the Bundesliga Credit: Bundesliga

3 Grodowski was knocked unconscious after a clash with ex-Liverpool keeper Loris Karius Credit: Bundesliga

He took part in their famous 1-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool in February, losing a tooth during the game.

Bosnia & Herzegovina centre-back Katic previously spent four seasons with Rangers , winning the 2021 Scottish Premiership .

He came to the rescue on Saturday as Schalke won 2-1 at Arminia Bielefeld.

Schalke keeper Karius, 32, laid out home striker Joel Grodowski with an accidental punch as he attempted to clear a high cross.

Grodowski collapsed unconscious to the turf, and swallowed his tongue.

But Katic swiftly placed the forward in the recovery position and pulled the 27-year-old's tongue out of his throat.

Grodowski soon came around, and embraced the Schalke defender before leaving the field.

Katic, 28, said: "When I saw Grodowski lying on the ground I rushed to his side straight away.

"It was a natural reaction for me. Even though we all want to win, health comes above all else.

"There are more important things in life than football.

"I had my back turned when the incident happened. But I was involved in a similar situation in our game against Hertha Berlin."

Schalke coach Miron Muslic added: "Nikola reacted very well after the collision. He recognised the problem straight away.

"I hope Joel Grodowski feels better very soon."

Bielefeld boss Mitch Kniat said: "Joel wanted to play on, but we could tell that he had to come off.

"We want to take zero risks, and the doctors said straight away that he had to leave the field."

Karius joined Schalke as a free agent in January after leaving Newcastle.

He previously spent six years with Liverpool, and was widely blamed for two of the goals in their 3-1 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in 2018.

3 Katic spent last season on loan with Plymouth Credit: Getty

Champions League Schalke Liverpool Rangers Nikola Katic Loris Karius Joel Grodowski Injury Update

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