Shakhtar Donetsk player Maicon Pereira de Oliveira Maicon was killed in a car crash in Donetsk on Saturday, the club's press service has reported.

"He was a talented footballer, open and friendly guy. Maicon loved life and knew how to make it positive and bright. A tragic, untimely and absurd death took away a wonderful person from our ranks. Maicon was only 25 years old. It is a terrible bereavement for each of us. FC Shakhtar expresses condolences and sympathy to Maicon's family and friends. May he rest in peace," the club said in a statement.

Maicon was born in Rio de Janeiro on May 8, 1988. In July 2012, he signed a contract with Shakhtar. He almost immediately moved to Zoria Luhansk, signing a one-year contract. In March 2013, he made his debut at Shakhtar in a match against Chornomorets Odesa, and on May 11, he scored his first goal for Shakhtar in a match against Tavria Simferopol.

On the last day of the transfer window on September 2, 2013, he moved on loan to Illichivets Mariupol. On September 14, 2013, he made his debut at Illichivets in a match against Zoria Luhansk, scoring a goal.