Ex-Premier League player in medical tragedy: "He underwent amputation of part of his leg"
Aleksandr Polukarov, a former defender well-known to football fans in Israel, and especially to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, underwent an amputation of part of his leg at the age of 66: "The reasons are unknown."
Difficult news from Russia. Aleksandr Polukarov, a former defender who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, underwent an amputation of part of his leg at the age of 66. The medical reasons that led to the procedure are still unknown.
Sports lawyer Anton Smirnov published the news on his Telegram channel:
"It is with great sadness that I announce that the former captain and defender of Torpedo Moscow, Aleksandr Vasilyevich Polukarov, has undergone an amputation of part of his leg. The reasons for what happened are still unknown. I wish him fortitude and a lot of health."
Polukarov is considered one of the most memorable foreign players to arrive in Israel in the early 90s. In 1991, he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv and became a significant player in the team's defensive line. During his time at the club, he was a partner in winning the national championship in the 1991/1992 season, the State Cup in the 1993/1994 season, and the Toto Cup in the 1992/1993 season.
After leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv, Polukarov decided to stay in Israel. He played one season for Maccabi Herzliya, then moved to Hapoel Jerusalem, and later to Maccabi Ironi Ashdod, with whom he also recorded a promotion to the Premier League.
In his homeland, Polukarov is considered one of the figures most identified with Torpedo Moscow. He began his professional career at Zorya Voroshilovgrad, and in 1980 moved to Torpedo. At the club, he recorded 319 appearances, a figure that places him third all-time in the number of appearances for the team, and scored 21 goals.
With Torpedo, he won the Soviet Cup in 1986, recorded 23 appearances in European competitions, and was included twice in the list of the 33 best players in the Soviet Union, in 1990 and 1991.
After his time in Israel, Polukarov returned to Russia and retired from active play with Torpedo-ZIL, after 17 matches. Later, he moved into a coaching career, served as an assistant coach and even as an interim coach at FC Moscow in 2010. Since 2011, he has been coaching children at his youth club, Torpedo Moscow.
