Former professional footballer Roel de Graaff passed away suddenly on Friday at the age of 41. The former forward was active at a professional level for Sparta Rotterdam, Haarlem, FC Zwolle, FC Dordrecht and RBC Roosendaal.
According to reports, De Graaff became unwell on Friday while playing darts in a café in Pijnacker. He is said to have died of cardiac arrest.
De Graaff went through the Feyenoord youth academy, where he was in a class with, among others, Robin van Persie. The attacker did not break through at the Rotterdam club and only played in the Eerste Divisie in his professional career.
De Graaff often struggled with injuries during his career. He played a total of 107 matches in professional football, scoring 22 goals.