Former Birmingham forward Christian Benitez dies from heart failure

Christian Benitez, the former Birmingham City striker, has died of heart failure at the age of 27, hours after making his debut for the Qatari club El Jaish. Benitez suffered respiratory arrest reportedly caused by appendicitis -following the game against Qatar SC and died on Monday.

Known as 'Chucho', the Ecuador international had joined El Jaish only at the start of this month from the Mexican side Club America. Antonio Valencia, the Manchester United winger and a team-mate in the Ecuador side, was among a large number of footballers to tweet condolences.

It is understood that Benitez was complaining of stomach pains shortly after the game and was diagnosed with appendicitis. His father-in-law, Cleber Chala, reportedly told Ecuadorean radio it then developed into peritonitis and complications led to a respiratory arrest.

Chala 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 too quickly. By the time he was admitted he was no longer responding. This happened in Qatar, my daughter is alone there."

Chala later tweeted: "A great has left us... You will live in our hearts forever Chucho." An El Jaish club statement read: "The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player. 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." Benitez had spent the 2009-10 season on loan at St Andrew's and made 36 appearances, scoring four goals, with many of his former team-mates, including Craig Gardner, tweeting their own tributes. Gardner said: "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."

Former Birmingham City team-mate Lee Carsley said: "He had outstanding ability, was very quick and was a bit of a free spirit. He had a big personality and he burst on to the scene when he came on at Old Trafford and caused lots of problems. His ability and -goal-scoring ability were there to see." West Ham co-owner David Sullivan was on the Birmingham board when Benitez arrived under then manager Alex McLeish and said: "I have the fondest memories of him, he was a brilliant football player. I'd inquired about signing him for West Ham United in the last two weeks. He was a lovely human being and always had a smile on his face."

Birmingham are to mark Benitez's death before their Championship opener against Watford on Saturday. He had moved to El Jaish for a fee of 10 million pounds only a few weeks ago, and was believed to have been a transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur. The