Santiago Garcia, a striker for Godoy Cruz, has died aged 30, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) has confirmed.
The former Uruguay Under-20 attacker, nicknamed 'El Morro', was reportedly found dead in his apartment in Mendoza, Argentina on Saturday.
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"We regret with deep sadness and shock the death of Uruguayan player Santiago Damiano Garcia. Our condolences to his family and friends," a statement from the AUF read.
Godoy Cruz posted on Twitter: "You were a hero, you were a goalscorer, you were a friend and a member of the family, you were everything a person wants to be when he gets a ball, today you have to be eternal and infinite for all of us.
"So, thank you very much Morro, thank you for all the joy you gave the Tombino people. Rest in peace."
Lamentamos con profunda tristeza y conmoción el fallecimiento del jugador uruguayo Santiago Damián García. Nuestras condolencias a sus familiares y amigos.
— AUF (@AUFOficial) February 6, 2021
Q.E.P.D. pic.twitter.com/kMFya7lFYM
Fuiste héroe, fuiste goleador, fuiste amigo y familia, fuiste todo lo que una persona desea ser cuando agarra una pelota, hoy te toca ser eterno e infinito para todos nosotros...
— Club Godoy Cruz (@ClubGodoyCruz) February 6, 2021
Muchas gracias por tanto Morro, gracias por tantas alegrías al pueblo tombino. Que en paz descanses. pic.twitter.com/e8vB72HdGr
Garcia began his career in professional football at Nacional in 2008 and had spells at Athletico Paranaense and Kasimpasa before returning to the Montevideo club in 2013. He joined Godoy Cruz in 2016 after a stint with Uruguayan side River Plate.
Nacional posted on their official Twitter account: "There are no words nor consolation. Immense grief over the death of one of the most beloved players and fans in Nacional's recent history. We all cry for 'El Morro'."
No hay palabras ni consuelo.
— Nacional (@Nacional) February 6, 2021
Inmenso dolor por la muerte de uno de los jugadores e hinchas más queridos en en la historia reciente de Nacional.
Todos lloramos por “El Morro” #QEPD pic.twitter.com/rMKflHnwnT
La familia darsenera está de luto, siempre te vamos a recordar así
— C. A. River Plate Oficial (@cariverplateuru) February 6, 2021
Descansa en paz, Morro pic.twitter.com/7QbaUrTm4q
La CONMEBOL expresa sus más sentidos pésames por el fallecimiento del jugador uruguayo Santiago García. QEPD.
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) February 6, 2021
Garcia finished the 2017-18 season as the highest-scoring player in the Argentine Primera Division with 17 goals as Godoy Cruz finished as runners-up to Boca Juniors.
He had been set to leave the club following a public falling-out with club president Jose Manzur.
