Just months after winning the Liga MX title with Club America, Ecuadorian striker Christian “Chucho” Benitez died suddenly at a Qatar hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.

Benitez, 27, was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains hours after playing his first game for Qatar side El Jaish on Sunday – having just moved from America in a deal worth around 18 million dollars. He died of a heart failure hours later, the Ecuador Football Federation revealed.

One of the biggest stars of Mexican soccer, Benitez was the Liga MX top scorer last season as America claimed an eleventh league title to equal the record set by Guadalajara Chivas.

Benitez previously played for Torreon side Santos Laguna and British club Birmingham City. He also represented Ecuador in the 2006 World Cup and scored a total of 24 goals in 58 international appearances.

“You left as a champion, you will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace Christian Benitez,” Club America tweeted on Monday.