The cause of death has not yet been officially announced but press reports said that Chanov was attacked in Kiev last month and suffered a traumatic brain injury for which he underwent surgery.

The goalie played 202 matches with Dynamo between 1982 and 1990, winning the Cup Winners Cup in 1986 as well as three Soviet titles and five Soviet cups.

Chanov began his footballing career in Shakhtar Donetsk and also played with Israeli clubs Maccabi Haifa and Bnei Yehuda, winning the country’s title in 1991 and two national cups.

He won 21 caps with the Soviet national squad and was a member of the team that were the runners-up at the European championship in 1988.