Former Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United star Arthur Bartman has died

Former Kaizer Chiefs keeper and Maritzburg United goalkeeper coach Arthur Bartman has died.

This was confirmed by his hometown club, Maritzburg‚ where he served with distinction as a player and coach.

"The club has learnt with sadness of the passing of former goalkeeper coach‚ Arthur Bartman.

"Prayers and thoughts go out to the Bartman family during this time. You will always be a part of the Team of Choice‚" said the club in a statement on Twitter.

Maritzburg did not clarify circumstances surrounding the death of the 46-year-old‚ who was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg.

Bartman had a stellar and sustained journey-man playing career and represented more than 15 top clubs since making his debut for African Wanderers in the 1997/1998 season.

He retired in June 2013 while on the books of Chiefs after a successful stay that yielded two Telkom Knockout cups in successive seasons.

Chiefs boss Bobby Motaung promised to integrate Bartman into the Amakhosi youth development system as a goalkeeper coach after he hung up his gloves, but the plan was never realised.

He joined Maritzburg as a goalkeeper coach under Ernst Middendorp the following month and said at the time he was to enrol for his coaching badges while in the job.

Bartman was a veteran of nearly 20 seasons in the professional ranks and he counted, among others, Bush Bucks‚ Moroka Swallows‚ Dynamos‚ Bay United‚ Golden Arrows‚ SuperSport United and Maritzburg as his former employers.

He was to celebrate his 47th birthday on March 26.