Swansea manager Paulo Sousa has paid tribute to Besian Idrizaj after the young striker tragically passed away on Saturday.
Swans boss pays emotional tribute to young striker
Swansea manager Paulo Sousa has paid tribute to Besian Idrizaj after the young striker tragically passed away on Saturday.
The 22-year-old died in his sleep at his family home in Austria and, although the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed, reports in his homeland suggest he suffered a heart attack.
"It's a very sad time for everyone," Sousa told Swansea's official website.
"It's sad for all the Swansea family, but more importantly his own close family. Our whole-hearted condolences go out to them."
Idrizaj arrived at The Liberty Stadium in August 2009 following a three-year spell at Liverpool and made four appearances for Swansea last season.
The striker, who had a year left to run on his contract with the Swans, did not feature for the first team during his stint at Anfield, but spent time on loan at Luton, Crystal Palace and Austrian club Wacker Innsbruck.
Troubled
Idrizaj had been troubled by health problems in the past and collapsed on the pitch in February 2008 while playing for Wacker against Sturm Graz.
"He was a player I had every faith in," added Sousa.
"He worked hard throughout the season to get stronger and back to his best and I think by the end of the season all his team-mates could see what a talented boy he was.
"He was growing and getting better and stronger all the time and I fully expected him to show that talent to everyone in the Championship next season on a regular basis.
"He was fighting hard to fulfil his dream and it's difficult to comprehend why that's been taken away from him at such a young age. The only saving grace is that he didn't suffer and he was close to the love of his family at the time."
