Source: Daily_Mail
Former Liverpool defender Avi Cohen dies after motorcycle smash
Heyday: Avi Cohen playing for Liverpool[LNB]Former Liverpool defender Avi Cohen has died from head injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Tel Aviv last week.[LNB]His son Tamir, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder, confirmed on Tuesday that his father had been declared brain dead.[LNB]The 54-year-old suffered severe head injuries after his bike collided with a car. He was treated at the scene of the accident by paramedics before being taken to Tel Aviv's Ichilov hospital, where he underwent five hours of surgery. [LNB]Tamir said: 'To our great sadness, a health ministry committee was in the hospital today and confirmed that our father is brain dead. It is inferred from this that dad has died.[LNB] Heatbreak: Bolton's Tamir Cohen (centre) visits Ichilov hospital after his father's accident[LNB]'Thank you to everyone and to all of Israel for the support and the help you have given us, now give us time to come together and to fully grasp the situation we are in.'[LNB]Cohen was the first Israeli to play in England, joining Liverpool in 1979 from Maccabi Tel Aviv, and making 24 appearances. [LNB]He memorably scored his only Reds goal against Aston Villa, but netted an own-goal in the same match. [LNB]Tribute: Liverpool academy ambassador - and former playing ace - Dalglish[LNB]Reds legend Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to his former team-mate and, recalling Cohen's most famous moment, said: 'He was well liked by all the lads and although he didn't spend a long time at the club, he certainly left his mark and no one will forget how he helped us win the league against Aston Villa.[LNB]'Avi was a lovely man who will be remembered fondly by everyone at Liverpool who knew him.He quickly integrated himself into the football club when he joined us and spent a lot of time learning English which really made him popular.[LNB]'My thoughts and those of everyone connected to the club are with Avi's family.'[LNB]Cohen, who was Israel's best-known player of the late-Seventies and Eighties, also had a stint with Rangers and won 64 caps for Israel.[LNB]Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: 'On behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers, our thoughts are with Tamir and his family with the news that Avi Cohen has passed away. We are saddened by this news and we would request the Cohens' privacy is respected at this time.'[LNB]Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who played alongside Tamirwhen on loan at Bolton last season, said on Twitter: 'Thoughts are with Tamir Cohen and his family. Tamir's agreat lad and really helped me when I was at Bolton.'[LNB] Kings of Europe: Liverpool's 1981 European Cup winners parade through the city[LNB]
