Barcelona loanee Marc Casado faces months out after collarbone surgery

Marc Casado is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a broken right collarbone sustained during Deportivo’s match against Real Betis.

The Barcelona midfielder, who joined Deportivo on loan, was injured on Sunday when he landed on his shoulder after colliding with Marc Roca. He was replaced immediately, having shown clear signs of pain as concern spread through both clubs.

Casado reportedly recognised the seriousness of the injury as soon as he fell and told medical staff: “It’s broken… it’s broken.”

He had started the match in his third appearance since moving to Deportivo. Casado had been left on the bench against Sevilla, during a week in which the team made several changes to its starting line-up.

Deportivo announced on Monday that Casado had undergone an operation in A Coruna. The procedure was carried out at HM Modelo Hospital by sports injury specialist Rafael Ariasa.

“Marc Casado underwent surgery at HM Modelo Hospital in A Coruna, performed by injury specialist Rafael Ariasa, because of a fracture to his right collarbone,” the Galician club said in a medical statement published on its official website and social media accounts.

Deportivo did not give a specific recovery time, saying only that the midfielder’s return to competitive action would depend on how his condition develops.

However, injuries of this nature can keep players out for between eight and 12 weeks. That would leave Casado sidelined for about three months and could mean he does not return until January, after the Christmas break.

The injury is a major setback for Casado, who had been hoping to establish himself with his new club after finding regular opportunities limited under Hansi Flick at Barcelona.

He moved to the A Coruna-based side on the final day of the transfer window in search of more playing time and the chance to relaunch his career. His spell at Deportivo had begun as an opportunity to secure a more prominent role, but the injury has brought that progress to an abrupt halt.