• Dinamo Bucharest midfielder Patrick Ekeng collapsed during league match

• The 26-year-old has died in hospital following his collapse on the pitch
• Ekeng fell to the ground seven minutes after coming on as a substitute
• Local media reported he had a heart attack and he was rushed to hospital
• Doctors tried for an hour to resuscitate the Cameroon midfielder but failed 

Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng has died in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during a Romanian league match on Friday.

Cristian Pandrea, a spokesman for the Floreasca Hospital, said doctors tried for an hour to resuscitate the 26-year-old midfielder but failed. The cause of death was not known.

Dinamo were leading 3-2 against Viitorul Constanta at home when midfielder Ekeng fell to the ground in the 69th minute, seven minutes after he came on as a substitute.

A statement on Dinamo’s official Facebook page said: ‘Dinamo tonight lost footballer Claude Patrick Ekeng Ekeng forever.

‘On behalf of all of Dinamo, sincere condolences to the bereaved family. God rest his soul.’

Local media in Romania reported he had a heart attack and he was immediately taken to the hospital, where dozens of fans gathered outside.

Players and staff could be seen crying as events unfolded, while some went with him to the hospital, which is next door to the stadium.

‘Resuscitation attempts were made for an hour and half without success,’ Dinamo team doctor Liviu Paltinean said.

He has played for Spanish club Cordoba, Swiss club Lausanne, and French outfit Le Mans. He moved to Dinamo in 2016 and made seven appearances in the league.

PATRICK EKENG'S CAREER

2008–2009: Canon Yaounde
2009–2013: Le Mans 2011: Rodez (loan)
2013–2014: Lausanne-Sport
2014–2015: Cordoba
2016: Dinamo Bucharest