Mexican forward Ezequiel Orozco has died at the age of 29 following a battle with lung cancer.
Liga MX confirmed the sad news of the Necaxa academy product's passing in a statement on Friday, reports Goal.com.
"The Liga Bancomer MX/Ascenso Bancomer MX expresses their most sincere condolences for the death of Ezequiel Francisco Orozco Padilla, member of the Mexican soccer family, player of Club Murcielagos of Los Mochis and ex-player of Necaxa, Altamira, Atlante and Chiapas. We hope his family members and friends quickly find peace," read the league's statement.
Que siempre se te recuerde con una sonrisa en la cara, y como el guerrero que fuiste. Descansa en paz "CHEQUE". Pronta resignación a tu familia. 🙌🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/iEBiYEvSV7
— Miguel Layun (@Miguel_layun) March 16, 2018
Orozco confirmed his diagnosis in November 2016 and made his final, minute-long appearance for Murcielagos, where he was playing on loan at the time, shortly afterwards, wearing the captain's armband.
Mexican internationals including Oribe Peralta and Miguel Layun led the tributes to Orozco following the news of his passing and every Liga MX, Ascenso MX and Liga MX Femenil match this weekend will begin with a round of applause in his honour.
Mark Langshaw
