FORMER MLS star and Israel international Gadi Kinda has died aged 31.
The attacking midfielder has passed away following a “complex medical battle” in recent weeks, according to his club Maccabi Haifa.
The Israeli top-flight club, who Kinda last played for in March, announced the star’s passing in a statement.
It comes just two weeks after the club revealed that Kinda has been hospitalised following his medical battle.
Kinda, who earned 10 caps for the Israel national team, joined Maccabi Haifa last year after spending four years on the books at MLS side Sporting Kansas City.
His former teammates posed with his shirt before their clash with the Portland Timbers earlier this month to show their support.
Since the news of his passing, head coach Kerry Zavagnin said: “It’s still a raw emotion.
“Obviously in the club right now and the way that the group is taking it, in such a difficult way, it goes to show what he meant to all of us.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.
“He was such an electric figure in our club and he’s going to be dearly missed.”
Adding: “[Kinda was] a pleasure to be with every day. No matter what the day looked like, he always came in with it with an optimistic view.
“Everyone from the chefs, the cooks, the cleaning service, the coaches, the rest of the staff, the players, all had a good feeling when they were around him and it shows today in how everyone’s taken this tragic news.”
While fans have paid their tributes with touching messages on social media too.
One wrote: “Rest in peace, legend”.
While another added: “Rest in peace, was genuinely one of the nicest people!”
And a third commented: “Heartbreaking. SKC was lucky to have him.”
Born in Ethiopia, Kinda moved to Isreal at just thee years old – a move that sparked his love for football.
As a kid he joined FC Ashdod’s academy before making his senior debut at 17.
He later moved to Beitar Jerusalem before making his big move to the US to play for Sporting KC.
While playing for Kansas City he made 80 appearances, scoring 16 goals and registering 17 assists.
He made 10 appearances for the Israeli national side, including lining up against Cristiano Ronaldo in a clash with Portugal.
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