Derby County’s Krystian Bielik has sent Arsenal goalkeeper Dejan Iliev a message on Instagram after the two players were photographed together on international duty.
Bielik and Iliev put friendship aside on Sunday as Poland faced Macedonia.
(Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images).
Derby’s Bielik missed the game through injury, while Macedonia named Iliev on the bench as Poland secured Euro2020 qualification with a 2-0 win.
The two former Arsenal teammates were all smiles on their encounter. And Bielik left an Instagram note saying it was ‘great to see his brother’ following their summer moves.
Bielik and Iliev played together in Arsenal’s academy. Bielik joined the Gunners in 2015, while Iliev has been on Arsenal’s books since 2012 after moving from Belascia.
The two players’ careers have gone in different paths over the past 18 months. Bielik had a loan spell at Charlton Athletic, before joining the Rams permanently this past summer.
Iliev is currently on loan at Slovak side Sered. At 24 and with a contract until 2020, the 6ft 5inch goalkeeper could be in his final season contracted to the Gunners.
Poland were likely to include Bielik in the starting XI for both games this past week. However, a thigh injury he sustained in training ruled him out of action.
(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/WBA FC via Getty Images).
Derby manager Phillip Cocu will be hoping his side’s £10 million summer acquisition can make a swift recovery as the 21-year-old is quickly becoming a key player at Pride Park.
Also see: £2.5m player Derby ditched last summer scores stunner on international duty.
Also see: Could rising Chelsea ace become a potential Derby target in January after latest reports?