The international soccer scene mourns the loss of former Japanese international Masato Kudo. As reported by the Australian newspaper “The Singleton Argus”, among others, the professional footballer died in his home country of Japan from complications after a brain operation. After an operation last week in Japan, he was initially in intensive care, but died on Friday. Kudo also played in the Australian league for Brisbane Roar.
His former Canadian club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, also confirmed the death of their former player. On the official website and via Twitter, the MLS professional club wrote that Kudo was loved by everyone who met him. “He was friendly, kind and his smile lit up the room,” the statement said.
Kudo was born in the Japanese capital Tokyo and started his career with Kashiwa Reysol in the top Japanese league with which he became champion in 2011. After stints in Vancouver, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Brisbane, he most recently played for Tegevajaro Miyazaki in the third Japanese division. In 2013 he became an international for his home country.
