Ugo Ehiogu: Former Aston Villa and West Brom defender dies aged 44

The 44-year-old, who played for Aston Villa and West Brom and was capped by England on four occasions, was Tottenham Hotspur's under-23s coach.

He received medical attention at the club's Enfield training base before he was transferred to hospital in an ambulance.

However it was confirmed this morning that he passed away aged 44, after suffering a cardiac arrest.

• MORE: Tributes pour in after 'huge loss to football'

Tottenham announced his death this morning, saying in a statement: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ugo Ehiogu."

Ehiogu, who played for Aston Villa and West Brom, and was capped by England on four occasions, joined Spurs as a coach in 2014.

Spurs' head of coaching and player development, John McDermott, said: "Words cannot express the sadness that we all feel at the club. Ugo's immense presence will be irreplaceable.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Gemma and his family."

Spurs also added their thanks to the North Middlesex University Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital and Harefield Hospital.

Current Aston Villa manager, Steve Bruce also paid tribute to the former defender.

"We are all shocked and devastated by the news."

"I played against him and watched him for many years.

"When you consider Ron Atkinson bought him for £40,000, what a bargain that was.

"You think of his family. It is a tragedy and puts football into perspective."

Ehiogu began his career as a trainee at West Brom before he was taken to Villa by Ron Atkinson in 1991.

He went on to feature in more than 300 matches for Villa and played in their FA Cup final defeat against Chelsea in 2000.

Ehiogu joined Middlesbrough for a then club-record £8 million fee later that year, and in 2001 he scored his only goal for England in Sven Goran-Eriksson's first game in charge, a 3-0 friendly victory against Spain.

Knee injuries plagued the final years of Ehiogu's career at the Riverside Stadium.

He joined Leeds on loan in 2006, and also had short spells with Rangers and Sheffield United before he retired from football in 2009.

He leaves behind his wife Gemma, and a son.