Gadi Kinda dead at 31: Former Israel international and MLS star dies as club release heartbreaking statement
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.
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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."
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