Former Stoke defender Dionatan Teixeira has died aged 25, the Premier League club has announced.

Axar.az reports citing ITV that, the Brazilian-born player, who played twice for Stoke's first team after moving to the club in 2014, was registered with Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol at the time of his death.

Teixeira also played for Kosice, Slovan Bratislava, Banik Ruzina and Dukla Banska Bystrica and made eight appearances for Fleetwood Town during a loan spell from Stoke in 2015.

A statement on Stoke's website read: "Stoke City extends sincere condolences to the family of former defender Dionatan Teixeira following his untimely passing at the age of 25."

Chief executive Tony Scholes added: "Dionatan was a hugely popular member of our squad and it's difficult to comprehend that he has passed away at such a young age."

A statement on the Sheriff website said Teixeira had travelled to his native Brazil in the summer and had been due to return to the club.

No details were given about how he died.

The Sheriff statement read: "We express our sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of Dionotan. He will remain forever in our hearts."