Ex-Cork star Djenairo Daniels suffers season-ending injury on international duty

Kilmarnock’s 23-year-old forward picked up a serious knee injury

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025 - 18:32

Cian Locke

Kilmarnock’s Djenairo Daniels is likely to be out for the rest of the season with a “significant knee injury” picked up on international duty.

The 23-year-old forward, signed from Cork City in the summer, was injured playing for Suriname after coming off the bench at half-time in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Guatemala on Friday.

A statement on Killie’s official website read: “We can confirm that Djenairo Daniels picked up a significant knee injury whilst on international duty with Suriname.

“The striker is due to see a specialist tomorrow (Thursday), but it’s evident after discussions with the club medical staff that he’s likely to be out for the remainder of the season.

“We would like to wish Djenairo a speedy recovery and the club will issue a further update when available.” Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell promised Daniels plenty of support.

He said: “It’s really disappointing. On Friday night we knew there was a bit of an issue.

“We knew he had to come off the pitch, so that’s never a good thing for a start.

“And then subsequently, Saturday, Sunday, he was scanned by the national team and again, we found out very quickly that it’s a serious knee injury.

“What I probably can say at this point is it looks like that’ll be the season over for him.

“I don’t like to get too carried away. He’s got an appointment today with a specialist here.

“So we need to get him in to see the specialist. I think most importantly, we just want to show our support to him. Very disappointed because he was on a high that his performances had earned him the right to go and play for the national team.

“He was the first sub on after 45 minutes and life looks good at that point and I think what people need to understand is how much of a blow that is to football players.

“But my words to him are, it’s not even close to a career-ending injury, it’s not the end of his career.”