Former Sheffield Wednesday striker shot outside Athens home

The 46-year-old was attacked by two men who ambushed him as he went to park his car on Tuesday evening.

One assailant fired a shot at the retired Serbian international Kovacevic, who managed only four goals in 16 outings his half-season with Wednesday in 1996 before going on to make a name for himself at Spanish side Real Sociedad.

Kovacevic, who cost Wednesday a reported fee of £2.5 million from Red Star Belgrade in January 1996, but left for a similar amount to Real Sociedad six months later, was taken to hospital for wrist and knee injuries after reportedly hurting himself as he fell to the ground to dodge the bullet.

Speaking to local press after being released from hospital, Kovacevic said: "I saw a man getting out of a car with a gun in his hand and coming towards me.

"I instinctively dived to the right and he fired at me.

"Then he ran, got into the car and disappeared."

Kovacevic, widely considered to be a flop at Hillsborough, rebuilt his reputation at Real Sociedad and the La Liga side were among the clubs offering him their support on Wednesday.

Sociedad published a message on their official Twitter saying: “We are hearing worrying news from Athens. Darko, we wish you a swift recovery.”

Police are investigating the attack, but it is not immediately clear why Kovacevic had been targeted.

Local reports said the getaway car the criminals fled in, a Smart car, was later found burnt out with a weapon inside near the scene of the attack in the neighbourhood of Glyfada to the south of Athens city centre.

The vehicle is said to have belonged to a man from Messinia in the southwestern part of Greece’s Peloponnese region and had not been reported as stolen.

No arrests are believed to have taken place.

Kovacevic enjoyed two spells at Real Sociedad after time in Italy with Juventus and Lazio.

He retired from football in May 2009 while at Greek side Olympiakos after being diagnosed with a blocked artery and undergoing heart surgery.