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Ex-national youth player Karthik Raj, 25, has passed away on Apr. 5 after collapsing during a pre-season tour.

Karthik collapsed on Apr. 1 while with his team in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA).

He was then taken to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital via ambulance, before being medically repatriated to Singapore on Apr. 2 via air ambulance.

The Monitor Singapore reported that he suffered a seizure and was on life support in Singapore General Hospital prior to his passing.

Despite doctors’ efforts, he died on the night of Wednesday (Apr. 5).

Promising footballer

Karthik was a winger who previously played for Hougang United and Balestier Khalsa under Singapore Premier League (SPL) in 2020, Straits Times (ST) reported.

He was also previously part of the National Football Academy (NFA) and played with national footballers like Zharfan Rohaizad, Irfan Fandi and Lionel Tan.

In 2013, he played under the national Under-16 team for the Lion City Cup.

In 2022, he joined the SKA which won the SFL 1 championship, according to the Football Association of Singapore (SFA).

The FAS is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Karthik Raj.

The 25-year-old was a member of the Singapore Khalsa Association side which won the Singapore Football League 1 championship last year. He contributed five goals in that campaign. pic.twitter.com/bbJFq3ZnVp

— FAS (@FASingapore) April 6, 2023

Karthik was described as a “promising footballer” and was voted as the young player of the year by his teammates.

“No words can describe the loss of such a wonderful person! He was an extremely jovial and loveable young man who touched the hearts of so many people,” wrote the statement by SKA.

Top image via FAS and Karthik Raj's Facebook