Masato Kudo, a Japanese international football player who also played in Major League Soccer and Australia, died at the age of 32 following a brief illness.

The striker, who was currently playing for Tegevajaro Miyazaki in Japan's third division, died on Friday after being in intensive care following brain surgery.

Kudo won the J-League with Kashiwa Reysol in 2011 and made four appearances for Japan, scoring twice.

He also played for the MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps and the A-Brisbane League's Roar.

Tegevajaro described him as a "very successful player" with "no arrogance and a great attitude of cherishing his teammates, club, and fans."

Brisbane coach Warren Moon said: "He had such a wonderful personality and always turned up to training every morning with a beaming smile on his face.

"He will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his wife and young daughter at this sad time," he added.