FORMER Norway U21 star Mounir Hamoud has died at the age of 39.
The ex-defender tragically passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on the first day of his new job as a coach.
Hamoud spent 15 years playing at the top level of Norwegian football.
He starred for Scandinavian giants Lyn, Bodo/Glimt and Stromgodset – the former club of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
Playing primarily as a left-back, Hamoud scored 29 goals in 349 club games before retiring in 2019.
The Morocco-born ace was also a former U21 international for Norway, winning seven caps between 2004 and 2005.
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Hamoud’s one trophy came in 2013 when he helped Stromgodset win the Norwegian league title.
And he had recently returned to his former club in a new role as an elite player developer, having worked in a similar position at NFF Buskerud for the past four years.
Hamoud’s untimely death came on the first day of his new coaching job with Stromgodset.
And the Norwegians paid tribute to their former star in a touching statement.
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It read: “Stromsgodset and NFF Buskerud share this information in consultation with the next of kin.
“This is a brutal and shocking message to receive – it affects all of us in Stromsgodset, it affects Drammen and the entire football family.
“Our thoughts go primarily to Mounir’s family and survivors in a very difficult situation. They have lost a father, husband, brother, son and dear family member.
“Mounir has worked as circuit manager for player development in NFF Buskerud for the past four years, and was supposed to have his very first day of work as a new top player developer in Stromsgodset today.
“In Mounir, we have lost a truly unique fellow human being. He was friendly, generous, inclusive and positive.
“He was professionally skilled and inspiring. someone who cared and participated.
“Someone we were all looking forward to meeting, someone we all have only good and warm feelings for.
“First and foremost, Mounir has left deep traces everywhere he has traveled. As a player and team-mate, as a coach, player developer and professional.
“As a colleague and fellow human being. Stromsgodset is in mourning. Mounir Hamoud will be deeply missed.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
