( CNN ) -- The sudden death at the age of 27 of a footballer in Qatar has prompted an outpouring of grief across the world but also fevered speculation as to the cause of his passing . Wednesday shed some light on Ecuadoran footballer Christian Benitez 's death after his club Al Jaish released a statement saying he died from heart failure . `` The official medical reports were issued by official state entities and stated that the sudden death was caused by heart failure , '' read the statement issued by the club . `` Since the Ecuadorian star passed away on Monday morning in a sudden way , sadness and sorrow prevailed all over the club after hearing the sad news especially that Benitez has joined the team for few days only . '' The club has pledged to pay for all the expenses of transferring the player 's body from Doha back to Ecuador . `` The management assures again its endless support to Christian 's family and standing by their side during this hard time , '' added the Al Jaish statement . `` The club has also made a special visit to the family and wife of the late player who are currently staying at Doha . The visit was made to check on the family situation and to assure that the management stands by their side and supports them . '' The 27-year-old died in a Qatari hospital where he was taken after complaining of abdominal pains . He had only made his debut for the club on Sunday . With Qatar hosting the World Cup in 2022 , Benitez 's death has sent shockwaves through the football world . `` This is a terrible tragedy , just awful news , '' said a Qatar 2022 spokesman , while football stars also took to Twitter to pay their respects to the man nicknamed 'Chucho ' . Fellow Ecuador star Antonio Valencia , who plays for Manchester United , uploaded several photos of him with the forward and wrote : `` This pain ( is ) very strong my brother but we love you . '' Ecuador 's interior minister Jose Serrano was among those who took to the micro-blogging site to comment , writing : `` Dear Chucho , thank you for your goals and your happiness . '' Sunderland 's Craig Gardner , who played with Benitez at Birmingham City between 2009 and 2010 , also paid tribute to his former teammate . `` Ca n't believe Christian Benitez has died , '' Gardner wrote . `` I had the pleasure to play with him . He was a top bloke . My thoughts go out to his family . '' Ermen Benitez , the player 's father , told CNN en EspaÃ±ol Tuesday that his son had never had any heart problems before he arrived in Qatar . `` When a football player is signed , they always do tests , '' he said . `` And he passed . '' Benitez joined Al Jaish on July 6 after signing a three-year deal . He was a favorite in Ecuador , scoring 24 goals in 28 appearances for the national team . Benitez established himself as a promising talent at El Nacional , the same club where his father starred during the 1980s . After leaving the Quito-based club , Benitez enjoyed success in Mexico with Santos Laguna before earning himself a loan deal to play in the English Premier League with Birmingham City in 2009 . He scored four times in 36 appearances , making his debut at Old Trafford against Manchester United and scored his first goal against Liverpool . But his failure to earn a permanent deal in England saw him return to Santos Laguna where he finished the season as top scorer . He joined rivals America in 2011 and helped it win this year 's Clausura title -- finishing as top scorer along the way . Benitez died on Monday , one day after playing his first game for new side El Jaish . `` The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player , '' a club statement said on Monday . `` Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons . 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 . '' In recent years Daniel Jarque , Antonio Puerta and Marc-Vivien Foe are some of the other footballers to have died from heart problems .
Christian Benitez passed away on Sunday in Qatar . Christian Benitez confirm Al Jaish died from heart failure . Christian Benitez says it will pay for all costs of flying Benitez 's body and family back to Qatar . Club promises 'endless support ' to wife and family of player .