Former Champions League star Gabriel Muresan has died aged 44 – after drowning during a swim in a lake.
The international won eight trophies during six years with CFR Cluj, including three league titles.
Former Romania international Gabriel Muresan has died at the age of 44 Credit: Getty
Muresan played for CFR Cluj and featured in the Champions League against Manchester United Credit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
He played in their clashes with in 2008, and in 2012.
Midfielder Muresan went on to play for Russian club Tom Tomsk and home-country outfit ASA Targu Mures before retiring in 2017.
Capped nine times by Romania, he played in World Cup and Euro 2012 qualifiers.
He had been the mayor of Transylvanian town Apold since 2020, being re-elected by a huge majority two years ago..
But tragedy struck in midweek when firefighters pulled him from a nearby lake. He was rushed to a local hospital, but medics were unable to revive him.
Apold’s town hall announced: “Today we are all experiencing great pain. We express our deep sadness at the news of the passing away of Gabi Muresan, mayor and devoted servant of our community.
“In these moments of difficult trial, we send sincere condolences to the grieving family and to all those who knew and cherished him.
“Our community will keep his memory alive, and will be grateful for everything he did for the people and for the Apold commune.”
The midfielder was capped nine times by Romania Credit: AP
Tragedy struck when Muresan went swimming in a lake Credit: AFP
Romania’s FA meanwhile declared: “The Romanian Football Federation sends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and all those who knew Gabriel Muresan. May God rest him!”
Muresan collected an unprecedented 16-match ban from domestic games in November 2014.
He was found guilty of using his elbow to break the cheekbone of opponent Raul Rusescu, with the Steaua Bucharest player coming close to losing sight in one eye.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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