Tributes Pour In For Besian
Sunday, 16th May 2010 11:48

Tributes from all over the footballing community have been pouring in for Swansea City striker Besian Idrizaj

The 22 year old was at home in Linz, when it is understood he suffered a heart attack. His older brother Qerim who also plays football for Austrian side Union Baumgartenber, found Besian in the early hours of Saturday morning and tried desperately to revive his brother.

Idrizaj was rushed to Hospital where for a further four hours medical staff tried to save his life, but to no avail.

Speaking after his brothers passing, Qerim conveyed his families shock at the sudden death of his brother, one of Austria's brightest footballing prospects, he said, “ We were looking forward to his visit from England and to spend time with each other. My brother, Sister and parents are devastated by the loss. Emotions vary from mourning, anger to fear.”

Expressing their deepest condolences, Besian's former club FC Wacker Innsbruck have paid tribute to him on their club's official website, and have offered their deepest sympathies to his family.

Meanwhile LASK Linz, the club that Idrizaj, made his his name at, have also expressed their sadness and have offered their condolences to his family.

It is also expected that there will be a minutes silence on Wednesday in Klagenfurt where the Austrian national side are due to face Croatia in a friendly.

Whilst, ÖFB (Austrian National football Association) Sport director Willi Ruttensteiner who was lost for words has sent his condolences to his family . Ruttensteiner has also commented on Idrizaj's love for the game and his delight in playing in the UK.

Swansea City have yet to comment any more on this sad news, other than to confirm Besian's passing; first team coach Alan Curtis has spoken of his shock.

Curtis who with the Welsh U-21's preparing for a friendly against Austria told the BBC, “ He was going to make an impact next season, All the ingredients were there to be a top class striker. I am sure he would have made a serious impact next season.

“Besian sort of came into the club, he has only been with us 8 months or so, he spent a little time out in Germany. We picked him up due to agents recommendations and straight away you could see the potential that was in the player. Its a huge tragedy, I think we are all still coming to terms with it.

“He was a really likeable person and like a lot of the foreigners we have at the club these days, they can speak better English than a lot of the local players. He was really well educated and the fact he left home as young and to come over to our country to play, shows how a well rounded person he was. Its a huge blow and the loss to his family must be absolutely enormous.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Qerim, his sister, Besian's parents and family at this time.