PAThe former Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a car crash.
The 35-year-old footballer died after the incident on Saturday, June 1, it has been confirmed.
Reyes was playing for Segunda Division team Extremadura, he had previously played for Sevilla, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Reyes’ former club Sevilla FC tweeted:
We couldn’t be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace.
We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qeGl2nsi3c
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) June 1, 2019
Reyes was the youngest player in the club’s history to make his debut for Sevilla, playing his first appearance aged just 16.
He played for Arsenal from 2004 to 2007, during which time he won the league as part of the Gunners’ ‘Invincible’ 2004 season, alongside Dennis Bergkamp, Theirry Henry and Patrick Vieira.
Tributes have poured in from fellow footballers and clubs for the 35-year-old:
We are extremely saddened to hear the tragic passing of José Antonio Reyes.
Everyone at Galatasaray extends their condolences to his family, friends and the whole club of @SevillaFC_ENG. RIP pic.twitter.com/6ungIdBPXy
— 22x Turkish Champions! 🏆 (@Galatasaray) June 1, 2019
José Antonio Reyes has passed away following a car crash in Seville.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends. 🙏#RIPReyes 🌹 pic.twitter.com/K7O78KPsme
— 433 (@official433) June 1, 2019
BREAKING: Former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes has died at age 35 following a car accident.
Rest In Peace. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/FtJWXcxtqK
— TheAFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) June 1, 2019
BREAKING: Sevilla have just broken the awful news that José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic accident.
Rest in peace legend pic.twitter.com/3BJ8bmIbWn— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) June 1, 2019
Former Sevilla, Atletico Madrid,Arsenal and Real Madrid forward, José Antonio Reyes has died in a car crash at the age of 35. [@SevillaFC_ENG ]
R.I.P 😞 Absolutley devastating news. Taken far too soon. Condolences to his friends, family and loved ones at this terrible time #avfc pic.twitter.com/kPxroproLQ
— Total Villa (@Total_Villa) June 1, 2019
After his time at Arsenal, Reyes returned to play for Sevilla in 2012, winning the Europa League three times. He also won the league twice during his time at Atletico Madrid.
How terribly sad. RIP https://t.co/WjrD6pM2gA
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 1, 2019
Reyes’ former club Atletico Madrid wrote:
The Atlético de Madrid family is in mourning. Our former player José Antonio Reyes has passed away. You will forever be in our hearts. Rest in peace.
The Atlético de Madrid family is in mourning. Our former player José Antonio Reyes has passed away. You will forever be in our hearts. Rest in peace.
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) June 1, 2019
Former Arsenal teammate Freddie Ljungberg posted on Twitter:
Numbed by the news about my former team-mate, Jose Antonio Reyes. Gone far too soon, my thoughts are with his family and friends
Numbed by the news about my former team-mate, Jose Antonio Reyes. Gone far too soon, my thoughts are with his family and friends
— Freddie Ljungberg (@freddie) June 1, 2019
Our thoughts are with Reyes’ family and friends.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.