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AC Milan's Cristian Zapata to have surgery on ankle

AC Milan and Colombia defender Cristian Zapata will have surgery for an ankle injury he suffered during this summer's Copa America Centenario.

The 29-year-old appeared in all five of Colombia's matches during the competition. He helped lead his country to the semifinals, where they were knocked out by Chile.

The Serie A side confirmed his pending procedure in a statement on Monday.

"AC Milan announces that, in the course of the Copa America, Cristian Zapata suffered a lesion to the capsular ligament in his left ankle," the statement read.

"After a consultation with professor Niek van Dijk in Amsterdam, the player will have to undergo surgery in the coming days."

Zapata made a permanent move to Milan from Villarreal in the summer of 2013 for €6 million.

The former Deportivo Cali man appeared in 21 matches for the San Siro club last season, scoring one goal.