Former Premier League striker Christian Benitez dies suddenly of suspected heart attack aged 27

Former Birmingham City striker
Christian Benitez has tragically died of suspected heart failure at the age of 27.
The Ecuador international's death
comes just a few weeks after his
£10million switch to Qatari side El
Jaish from Mexican team Club
America. As footballers across the world took to Twitter to voice their grief at news of his death, the Ecuadorian Football Federation revealed he was rushed to hospital yesterday with 'severe stomach pain' before he died from a heart attack Twitter
In a statement on its website, the EFA
said: '[Benitez] had severe stomach
pain and was rushed to a hospital
where, after a few hours, suffered
cardio-respiratory arrest, which ended
his life.'
They added: 'The Ecuadorian Football
Federation extends its heartfelt note
of sympathy to the family members,
parents, wife, children and friends of
our striker Cristian Benitez.'
El Jaish also released a statement
confirming the news. It said: '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 yesterday'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.'
A tweet from Club America read: 'You
left as a champion, you will always be
in our hearts. Rest in Peace Christian
Benitez.'
He was diagnosed with appendicitis,
but - according to his father-in-law
Cleber Chala - this developed into
peritonitis and complications led to a
respiratory arrest.
Mr Chala, who spoke on Ecuadorian
radio and cited by The Mirror , said:
'They called me at 3am to tell me that
they had taken him to hospital as an
emergency due to stomach pains.
'When he arrived, he was not seen to
quickly.
'By the time he was admitted he was
no longer responding. This happened
in Qatar, my daughter is alone there.'
Benitez, nicknamed 'Chucho', was on
loan at St. Andrew's for the 2009-10
season, making 36 appearances for
the Blues. He won 58 caps for
Ecuador, including appearances at the
2006 World Cup.
Manchester United winger Antonia
Valencia led the tributes to his
compatriot. Valencia took to Twitter to
pay his respects, including posting a
touching photo of the pair together.
As tributes for Benitez from around
the game began to pour in, it became
clear that the striker had an impact on
team-mates during his short time in
Birmingham.
Former Blues star Craig Gardner, who
now plays for Sunderland, took to his
Twitter account to register his
condolences, posting: 'Can't believe
Christian Benitez aka chucho has died
had the pleasure to play with him he
was a top bloke. My thoughts go out
to his family.'