Tottenham announced in a statement: «It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ugo Ehiogu.»

The former defender, capped four times by England, was being treated in hospital after collapsing at the Premier League club’s training headquarters in north London on Thursday.

Ehiogu, who starred for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough duing his playing career, has been on Tottenham’s coaching staff since 2014.

Tottenham’s head of coaching and player development John McDermott said: «Words cannot express the shock and 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.»

The club’s statement added: «Ugo received immediate treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Training Centre yesterday (Thursday) before being transferred to hospital, where he passed away in the early hours of this morning.»