The football world is mourning the passing of ex-Romanian international Gabriel Muresan after he sadly died after being pulled from a lake.
Muresan, who during his career played against some of the biggest football clubs in the world in the Champions League, was reportedly swimming in a lake in the Transylvanian town of Apold.
The 44-year-old, who was capped nine times for his country, became mayor of the town in 2020 and won re-election just two years ago.
In a statement regarding his death, Apold’s town hall said: “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.
(Image: Getty Images)
“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 Romanian football federation also issued a statement saying it was with “great sadness” that they must confirm his passing.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
They wrote: “The Romanian Football Federation learned with great sadness of the death of Gabriel Mureșan, at the age of 44, former Romanian international and double national champion with CFR Cluj.
“Born on February 13, 1982 in Sighișoara, Mureșan has played 9 matches for the national team. At CFR Cluj, he played for 6 seasons, between 2007 and 2013, during which he collected 135 matches, winning the Romanian Cup three times (2008, 2009 and 2010) and the championship three times (2008, 2010 and 2012). He has also played for Gaz Metan Mediaș, Gloria Bistrița, Tom Tomsk and ASA Târgu Mureș.
“The Romanian Football Federation sends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and everyone who knew Gabriel Mureșan.”