Former Nigeria U-20 captain, Isaac Promise, has passed away at the age of 31.
Isaac, who captained Nigeria to the 2008 Olympic silver medal and scored 79 goals in 11 professional seasons in Turkey, died late Wednesday after collapsing at his apartment gym in Austin, Texas, authorities said.
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He was playing for the Austin Bold of the USL and the team confirmed his death on Thursday.
Police said authorities were called after a report of a deceased person at Isaac’s apartment building but no further details were immediately available.
Austin Bold owner, Bobby Epstein, said Promise collapsed at the apartment gym and no foul play was suspected.
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“The greatest loss a team can suffer is not on the scoreboard, it’s the death of a fellow teammate,” wrote Epstein.
“It’s with shock and grief that we acknowledge the sudden death of Promise Isaac.
“On behalf of the BOLD organisation; we wish his wife, children and family strength and peace as they struggle to cope with his death.”
Promise captained Nigeria to the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Finland.
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He also played for Nigeria at the 2005 World Youth Championship and captained the Under-23 national team that lost the 2008 Olympic final 1-0 to Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Promise made his senior national team debut in 2009 before fading off the international radar after three games and one goal.
Before his demise, he had several stints across Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.
