Iranian footballer Hadi Norouzi, captain of local club Persepolis, died of a heart attack in his sleep on Thursday, local media reported.
Persepolis manager Branko Ivankovic described the news as a big shock for him and his team, reports Xinhua.
The 30-year-old Norouzi joined Persepolis in 2009 and made 150 appearances for the club in the Iranian Pro League, scoring 26 goals.
He joined club Naft Tehran on a season-long loan in November 2013 and made 12 appearances, scoring three goals.
He played nine games for the national side from 2009 to 2011.
