Former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez has passed away in Qatar aged only 27.
The Ecuador international signed a three-year deal to play for Qatar club El Jaish earlier this month following two seasons with Club America in Mexico.
El Jaish confirmed the news in a statement on their website a day after Benitez made his debut for the club, but they did not reveal the cause of death.
The statement read: read: "The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.
"Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during Sunday's match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.
"His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character."
Benitez, popularly known as Chucho, joined Birmingham on loan from Santos Laguna in 2009 and scored four goals in 30 appearances.
But he returned to Santos after the two clubs were unable to negotiate a fee for the forward, and he spent one further season with Laguna before moving to Mexican rivals America.
Benitez scored 54 goals in 79 appearances over the next two seasons, but he decided against extending his contract and accepted an offer to join El Jaish.
He was also a regular for the Ecuador national team, earning 58 caps and scoring 24 goals and featuring against Germany in the 2006 World Cup.
[ 此帖被麥精在2013-07-29 22:27重新編輯 ]
