AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- Utrecht defender David di Tommaso, voted the team's player of the year last season by fans, has died in his sleep at the age of 26, the Dutch first division club said on Tuesday.
According to media reports, the French defender suffered a heart attack at home.
He had a wife and daughter.
"Medical experts are carrying out an investigation to determine the cause of death," club doctor Frank van Hellemondt said at a news conference at the team's stadium complex.
"He ate dinner last night and went to bed as he usually did. He didn't complain of feeling ill." Hellemondt and other team officials spoke briefly and left without answering questions from reporters.
"One thing we know for sure - Tommaso was not taking doping products," a club spokesman told the ANP news agency.
Club chairman Jan Willem van Dop praised Di Tommaso's "positivity" and skill as a player. "His talent as a player is not in doubt," Van Dop said.
"Everyone at FC Utrecht is affected by this."
Di Tommaso was a member of the Monaco side which won the French title in 2000 but was not a regular, playing seven matches that season.
In July 2004, he joined Utrecht from Sedan and played 31 times last season.
He had appeared in 13 matches this season, including last Sunday's 1-0 home league win over Ajax Amsterdam.
In July English Premier League club Portsmouth made inquiries about signing him.
May he rest in peace and all the best to his family and friends...
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Originally Posted by Rijoh
