Masato Kudo, a former attacker for the Japan national team who previously played for Kashiwa Reysol, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Brisbane Roar, passed away at the age of 32 following brain surgery, according to his club Tegevajaro Miyazaki.
After becoming ill a day earlier and receiving a diagnosis of hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the ventricles of the brain, Kudo was admitted to the hospital on October 3. Friday saw his passing.
In 2013, Kudo was a key member of Kashiwa Reysol's journey to the Asian Champions League semifinals, scoring six goals in just 12 games.
He played for the national team in four matches in 2013 and scored two goals.
“He made a significant impact in the first division,” third division side Tegevajaro Miyazaki, who Kudo had joined from Roar this year, said in a statement. “He played for Japan and had a great track record but he stayed humble.”
“He had a great attitude, caring about teammates, the club and supporters. We are devastated that such a great player has passed away so early.”
Kudo, who also represented Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scored 60 goals in Japan’s first division during his career.