Former Arsenal and Sevilla player Reyes dies in car crash

MADRID (Reuters) – Former Sevilla and Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a road accident at the age of 35, several of his former clubs said on Saturday.

“We couldn’t announce worse news. Our beloved former youth player Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a road accident. Rest in peace,” said a statement on Sevilla’s official Twitter account.

Reyes was under contract with Spanish second division club Extremadura. Seven second division matches that were supposed to be played on Sunday, including Extremadura’s match against Cadiz, were postponed until Tuesday.

Reyes’ last game was a 1-0 win at Alcorcon on May 18.

“It is with a shrunken soul and a broken heart that Extremadura reports the death of our player Jose Antonio Reyes in a traffic accident. We ask everyone to pray for his soul,” the club said in a statement.

The left winger also played for Arsenal, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, among others, and made 21 appearances for the Spanish national team.

Spanish media reported that the accident occurred at 11:40 a.m. (09:40 GMT) on Saturday morning on the road connecting his hometown of Utrera and Seville.

Sevilla’s statement said his cousin Jonathan Reyes also died in the accident.

Reyes made his professional debut at the age of 16 for Sevilla, moved to Arsenal for £17 million in January 2004 and was part of the famous ‘Invincibles’ who won the Premier League that season without losing a single game.

“Part of the invincible team, Jose was a hugely popular figure at our club and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our thoughts are with all his family, friends and team-mates,” Arsenal said on Twitter.

He joined Real Madrid on loan in the 2006/07 season, winning the La Liga title and later moving to neighbours Atletico before returning to his boyhood club Sevilla in 2012, winning three consecutive Europa League titles between 2014 and 2016.

He later played for Espanyol and then for Chinese club Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard before returning to Spain to join Extremadura in January.

Spain captain Sergio Ramos, a former teammate of Reyes at Sevilla, said on social media: “I am devastated, I am at a loss for words. All my love goes out to his family. We will always remember him. Rest in peace brother.”

Reyes died 12 years after Sevilla left-back Antonio Puerta died of a heart attack during a match.

The club’s sporting director, Monchi, added: “This news is impossible to believe, it is impossible to comprehend, how cruel. Rest in peace, José Antonio Reyes… what a left wing you and Antonio will form up there in heaven.”

The football association UEFA and the Spanish Football Association also expressed their condolences.

(Reporting by Richard Martin and Rik Sharma; Editing by Toby Chopra)