Fabian Caballero, former Arsenal and Dundee striker, has passed away at the age of 46. The Paraguayan forward, known for his combative style of play, tragically collapsed while playing futsal with friends in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Caballero, who was signed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in 1998, made just three appearances for the Gunners, struggling to break into a team featuring star forwards like Nicolas Anelka, Nwankwo Kanu, and Dennis Bergkamp. After his brief stint in London, he returned to Paraguay to rejoin Atletico Tembetary.
In 2000, Caballero returned to British football, signing for Dundee, where he became a fan favorite. He spent five seasons at Dens Park, helping the club reach the Scottish Cup final in 2003, where they finished runners-up to Rangers.
Dundee FC expressed their sorrow in a statement: “All at Dundee Football Club are extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Fabian Caballero. Fabian was a fan favorite and will be greatly missed. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Fabian’s family at this very sad time.”
Caballero’s career also saw him play in Greece, Cyprus, South Korea, and Guatemala, earning the nickname “Tyson” for his robust playing style.
The Paraguayan Football Association also paid tribute, saying, “The Paraguayan Football Association deeply regrets the passing of Fabián Caballero, who had an outstanding career both in Paraguayan football and abroad. We accompany the family and friends in this difficult time.”
