STRIKER DEATH ROCKS SWANSEA
By Mario Risoli, 15/05/2010
SWANSEA CITY were in shock last night after being told striker Besian Idrizaj had died in his sleep of a suspected heart attack aged just 22.
The young Austrian, who suffered with health problems, was found dead by his brother Qerim at his parents' home in Linz in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Qerim, a midfielder with Austrian club Union Baumgartenberg, said, "Besian is dead. That is all I can say at the moment."
Ex-Liverpool player Idrizaj joined Swansea last August when he signed a two-year deal with the Championship club.
The former Austria Under-21 international made four appearances for Paulo Sousa's side - the last coming in December in the 1-0 win home win against Plymouth.
The shell-shocked Swans issued a statement last night saying, "We can confirm that the agent of young striker Besian Idrizaj has informed the club the young striker has sadly passed away.
"It is understood the popular 22-year-old died in his sleep on Friday night while at home with his family in Austria.
"The exact cause of death has not been confirmed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and team-mates at this time."
Idrizaj was tipped for stardom when he was crowned Austria's Young Footballer of the Year in 2005 after an impressive season with LASK Linz.
He earned a dream move to Liverpool but he failed to make a name for himself at Anfield and was loaned out to Crystal Palace, Luton and Wacker Innsbruck.
Idrizaj, who was hoping to nail down a regular first-team place in the Swansea side next season, had a history of collapsing during games.
He feared he would have to quit football two years ago when he collapsed twice in the space of nine months.
The 6ft 2in marksman collapsed playing for Wacker Innsbruck in a league match against Sturm Graz in February 2008.
Idrizaj lay unconscious on the pitch for several minutes and was sidelined for a month.
It was thought he had suffered a heart attack but he was later diagnosed with a virus.
And in November 2008 Idrizaj was rushed to hospital after a trial match with LASK Linz.
But the big Austrian was given the all-clear by doctors and Swans boss Sousa handed him a football lifeline last year.
A Swansea insider said, "Besian was with us all season and there was no sign he had any health problems.
"He trained with the rest of the lads and played in lots of reserve games. He was always fine.
"Everybody at the club is shocked by this news. He was a lovely lad."
By Mario Risoli, 15/05/2010
SWANSEA CITY were in shock last night after being told striker Besian Idrizaj had died in his sleep of a suspected heart attack aged just 22.
The young Austrian, who suffered with health problems, was found dead by his brother Qerim at his parents' home in Linz in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Qerim, a midfielder with Austrian club Union Baumgartenberg, said, "Besian is dead. That is all I can say at the moment."
Ex-Liverpool player Idrizaj joined Swansea last August when he signed a two-year deal with the Championship club.
The former Austria Under-21 international made four appearances for Paulo Sousa's side - the last coming in December in the 1-0 win home win against Plymouth.
The shell-shocked Swans issued a statement last night saying, "We can confirm that the agent of young striker Besian Idrizaj has informed the club the young striker has sadly passed away.
"It is understood the popular 22-year-old died in his sleep on Friday night while at home with his family in Austria.
"The exact cause of death has not been confirmed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and team-mates at this time."
Idrizaj was tipped for stardom when he was crowned Austria's Young Footballer of the Year in 2005 after an impressive season with LASK Linz.
He earned a dream move to Liverpool but he failed to make a name for himself at Anfield and was loaned out to Crystal Palace, Luton and Wacker Innsbruck.
Idrizaj, who was hoping to nail down a regular first-team place in the Swansea side next season, had a history of collapsing during games.
He feared he would have to quit football two years ago when he collapsed twice in the space of nine months.
The 6ft 2in marksman collapsed playing for Wacker Innsbruck in a league match against Sturm Graz in February 2008.
Idrizaj lay unconscious on the pitch for several minutes and was sidelined for a month.
It was thought he had suffered a heart attack but he was later diagnosed with a virus.
And in November 2008 Idrizaj was rushed to hospital after a trial match with LASK Linz.
But the big Austrian was given the all-clear by doctors and Swans boss Sousa handed him a football lifeline last year.
A Swansea insider said, "Besian was with us all season and there was no sign he had any health problems.
"He trained with the rest of the lads and played in lots of reserve games. He was always fine.
"Everybody at the club is shocked by this news. He was a lovely lad."
