BRUGGE, May 8 (SW) - Club Brugge player François Sterchele has died at the age of 26 in a car crash earlier today.

Sterchele reportedly crashed into a tree at around 3am local time, in the town of Vrasene after returning from spending an evening in Antwerpen.

The forward, who was Belgium's top scorer in the 2006-07 Jupiler League season and played four matches for the national team, was born in Liége on March 14th 1982.

After having represented Kelmis, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, Sporting Charleroi and Germinal Beerschot, the talented striker tried his luck at Club Brugge.

In March of 2007, Sterchele received his first national team invitation from coach René Vandereycken.

A condoleance register has been opened at Club Brugge's official site and will be available physically at Terrain 2 of Jan Breydel Stadium on Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to 20:00 local time.