(REUTERS) - Former Tottenham Hotspur and Red Star Belgrade defender Goran Bunjevcevic has died at the age of 45, the Serbian club said on Friday (June 29).

Bunjevcevic, who made 125 appearances for Red Star, was in a serious condition after suffering from aneurysm last month.

"With sadness, we report that Goran Bunjevcevic, former Crvena Zvezda captain and director of football, has passed away on June 28, 2018," the club said in a statement.

He joined Tottenham in 2001 under Glenn Hoddle but an injury-hit spell at the north London club restricted him to only 51 appearances in five seasons.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former player Goran Bunjevcevic. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his friends and family at this extremely difficult time," Tottenham said on Twitter.

Serbia captain Aleksandar Kolarov had dedicated the 1-0 win in their World Cup opener against Costa Rica on June 17 to Bunjevcevic, who was named sporting director of the country's football association in 2016.

"We dedicate this win to our director, and we want him to know that we are all supporting him," the former Manchester City defender had said.