The former Uzbekistan international Nikolai Shirshov died at the age of 48, the Rostov football club said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Nikolai Shirshov played 100 matches for our club over 5 years. He stayed to live and work in the Rostov region after completing his career. Rostov FC offers deepest condolences to the family and friends of Nikolai Shirshov,” the message says.
According to DonDay.ru, citing colleagues of the deceased, Nikolai Shirshov died as a result of an accidental rupture of a blood clot.
In recent years, Nikolai Shirshov has lived in Novoshakhtinsk, 50 kilometers from Rostov, and worked as a coach for the local team.
Shirshov capped 63 matches for the national team of Uzbekistan, and scored 13 goals. He participated in three Asian Cups (1996, 2000, 2004).
