Radhakrishnan Dhanarajan, a former Mohun Bagan footballer, died after collapsing during a football match in Perintalmanna, Kerala on Sunday evening. Playing a Sevens match for FC against Sastha Medicals FC Thrissur, the defender suddenly fell on the ground in the 27th minute of the game.

According to a report in The Telegraph, Dhanarajan was taken to a nearby hospital immediately but the doctors couldn’t help him as the footballer had died before he was brought to the hospital.

“We noticed Dhanarajan falling and rushed towards him. He was taken to hospital, but all hopes were over by then. Doctors said our friend died due to cardiac arrest,” Ameerudheen K, an official of Sevens football tournament was quoted as saying.

“The match started at 9.30 pm and the incident happened at around 9.57 pm. We don’t even understand what happened all of a sudden. He was playing well and made some good clearances. Suddenly, he put his left hand up and collapse,” he added.

Hailing from Palakkad in Kerala, Dhanarajan was also known as 'Dhana'. He played a major part in Bengal’s Santosh Trophy win in 2011. He, along with Denson Devadas, came to Calcutta back in 2005 and United Sports Club was the first team he played for.

He may have had retired from professional football but he was a regular in the Sevens circuit in Kerala. He was known for his leadership skills and was a regular member of Kerala's Santosh trophy teams.