TRAGEDY!  Car Crash Kills 22-Year-Old International Footballer

Ecuador and LDU Quito footballer Marco Angulo has died from his injuries following a car crash at the age of 22.

Angulo was involved in a collision in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, in the early hours of October 7.

The promising young midfielder, capped three times by the Ecuador national team, was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery to release pressure inside his head resulting from the trauma.

He had also sustained a lung contusion which required a chest tube, though no active bleeding was discovered.

Messages of love and support have flooded in for Angulo in the intervening 35 days, but it was announced this morning that he had succumbed to his injuries.

Independiente Juniors defender Roberto Cabezas Simisterra and Victor Charcopa Nazareno, the cousin of Cuniburo Futbol Club star Diogo Nazareno, also died in the crash.

It is believed the Ford Explorer in which Angulo was travelling struck a metal structure on the Ruminahui highway in the southeast of Quito at around 4:30am.

‘With deep pain and sadness, we regret to report the death of our beloved player Marco Angulo,’ LDU Quito said in a statement this morning.

‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

‘His departure is an irreparable loss that will leave an indelible mark on our hearts. Rest in peace.’

‘May you rest in peace,’ Ezequiel Piovi, LDU Quito’s captain, wrote on Instagram.

Angulo had been enjoying a loan spell with Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito following a loan move from MLS side FC Cincinnati earlier this year.

The former Independiente Juniors star made 16 appearances in all competitions for LDU Quito, the most recent of which came against Orense in Ecuador’s top flight on October 6 – the day before the crash.

Having been called up to Ecuador’s senior squad for the first time in November 2022, Angulo would go on to make his international debut in a goalless draw with Iraq.

Angulo won his third and final cap as a second-half substitute in Ecuador’s 3-1 win over Bolivia back in June.