The 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.
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:
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.
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.
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
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.